COPYRIGHTED IN I384.Bv BEADLE a: ‘. . ' “_‘.a. ——-———.———_»_ . Enuaan AT THE POST OFFICE AT erw szx. N. Y . AT SECOND CLASS MAIL RAH-1r. Vol XXV N0 313 ' ° Wednm‘y' w WILLIAM STREET. N. Y., Octube-r'Z‘J 1w. 85.00 sYenr. ' ,. , _ MA A, A ,7 A.-,‘-‘J~ MARK MAGIC, Detective. A STORY CF A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN‘S STRANGE CAREER. BY ANTHONY P- MORRIS, Arrunn HF “)ilJ-X‘Tm: 11:11:," “HANK nul'ND." “THE HHZNI'H 5mg" “Tm; T-1.\..\Kk;ll MYsTERY," ETC, ETC, ETC. 3...... .. _ ~ A STRONG HAND FELL UPON HER SHOULDER, DRAGGING HER BACK RUDELY FROM “EH SELL? bul ml 1 l:b.‘.\’lRl'("l‘Iu\ a. I t . was to accomplish. , . i Aciontomshs‘acaseoutof ligand- V ‘to thinkin {coming to the city at all a week 2 Mark Magic, Detective. ‘ Mark Magic. Detective. A Story of a Beautiful Woman’s Strange Career. BY ANTHONY P. MORRIS, nurses. or “ELECTRO Parr.” “ran MARKED MYSTERY," “HANK ROUND,” ETC., arc. CHAPTER I. Ln'rLl: name’s STRANGE ASSIGNMENT. " THERE’S your quarry.” “ The woman in blackl" “Yes.” .“find you will not tell me what I am to find “No. Follow her. Make your own discov- eries, and report to me as fast as made. You boasted that you could worry down a case with no further information than that there was something crooked about a party, did you not?“ “ I believe I did, some days ago.” “Well, then, there is your chance. I do not suppose there is anything very serious to come out of it—but your investigations must deter- mine that, else I would not put you upon the case of this supposed lady crook." It was an afternoon at the close of the month of June. The spot where the above brief dialogue oc‘ curred was at the foot of Light street, where the steamboat wharves stretch southward in a long visits of stat-ks and rigging—the gemri mooring for all boats of harbor or southern route. ' ' One of the speakers was a tall, shrewd-faced man with eyes that glittered a fire of latent knowledge ained by long service on the detec— tive force 0 Baltimore. His com nioa. a younger man, and perhaps with consrderable comeliness, was also unmis- J takably of the same daring profession: and the l two were just then gazing covertly at a female who came forward seemingly at the very last . moment to board one of the Philadelphia pro— pellers. Already the whistle was sounding, warning that" the were but a few minutes to spare, since thel batch of freight had been run in on the lower deck. Her movements were quick and nervous, as if apprehending that she might bestopped by same one, though she did not glance either to the right or to the left as she hastened over the plank and dies peered. “Now, thte Ma ic, go ahead for all the thing is worth and et me know as fast as you can about it. nick—the steamer is oingl” ready the hands were casting o the lines. ponderons thing was churning the water at her rear, slowly backing out from her wharf. Spryly the detective ran aboard. He had started upon, a remarkable trail after a sup- “crooked” female. Remarkable, be- cause he did not have the slightest idea what he _ his name—christe‘ned his ' Mark Magic was associates of the shadow brigade as ttle Magic, because he had been known to a rat times and places with a wonderful faci ty that baffled the understanding of others in his field. Two days before the afternoon on which we introduce him to the reader, he had remarked in the ipresence of two of his companion slenths, that business did not offer ,him‘ somethin moreoxciting shortly, he would get up a tra othkmtu. i He requirsd,hesaid.'iio more than a snspt- Hischief overbearing him, had on this day brought him to the wharf, sayin . as they came along, that he was about to his ebi - ity in regard to his boast . A female, a lady to all appearances, had‘ struck the chief, at a time several days earlier, as being singular of habit and he h'ad ascer- tained or his own satisfaction that she was not a permanent resident of Baltimore—more, even her former residence could not be ascer- tained, or her intended course or her object in previous. . . « On one occasion she was seen to enter a place ‘on Harrison street, and though the place was watched for hours, and she was not seen to come alight: .w afterward found at her rooms ntthehp l on award street, where she had. hour so informed the clerk, within an hour aft. having gone out. ‘ Little, had no idea whither he was be- ,irglwmt have! bummer; but he had 11 been an it but mom than twonty minutes before he ma 9 a slight discovery which set him Seated Fl] the ladies’ saloon, to which she had immediately repaired upon ing the steam- er, the female appeared to suddenly grow very warm, and drew a handkerchis from her pocket. , The action caused something to drop from Perhaps the lady was a mother! But where was her baby? As the boat went churning and steaming down the Patapsco, past the varied and inter- esting landscape of the two luxuriant shores, Magic was loitering near the strange passenger, and wondering why she did not procure for herself a state-room, since he had casually heard the purser remark that there was a plenty of em ty ones. aylight slowly faded away; the shroud of night came down balmin after the sultriness of the day gone—and still the black-robed and railed female occupied her seat in the saloon, while the others of the asssngers were seem- ingly glad enough to avail ,of the blessed respite of fresh air on the upper decks. Wider grew the» watery space between the shores; darker grew the gloom over the waves that increased as the steamer plowed onward far from the city. Smoking his cigar idly, Little Magic strolled about amid the -freightage. in long rows before the entrance to the cabin oh either side; but his l nx eyes were on his sup quarry for the sightestindicaticn of a. c ew to give him the entrance to the blind trail he had started upon at the bidding of his chief. The cabin was now deserted completely. Softly fell the moonbeams our the water far out on eVery side, and the St't‘r‘w churned away at an increased speed as the lookout relnxed his vigilance somewhat after leaving the ever tangled fleet of pungies that are making in and out of Baltimore Basin at the opening market season of June. Suddenly there came a change—a startling or. -! Though bent upon watching closely the game he was pursuing, he was almost too late to wit- ness a quick movement on the part of the latter, which had brought her from the cabin and to- ward the door out to the after-guard while he was in the act of taking one of his turns among Eher ket, which the detective saw was a ibabyssockl the freight. A swrftly gliding figure in black a shadowy glimpse of the vniled female, and she had vnn~ ished out upon the way around the guard, into the almost impenetrable gloom cast by the ex- tending deck show and on the opposite to the moonl ght side. . , At the rail she paused. A hasty glance around her seemed to satisfy her that she had reached her position un- observed. With some exertion, she climbed upon the rail, balanced there for a moment, and then would havo deliberately cast herself outward into the dark and cool water: buta strong band fell upon her shoulder, dragging her back rude- ly from her self-sought ction. “What are you trying to do?” demanded a calm voice. Little Magic was by her side, and as he spoke, be retained is hold as if he thought she would struggle to free herself and carry out her mad intention. ,A little to his surprise, sheanswered, com- W Y- . “Imeanttcdrownm sell”. , 1 " ,“Youvmustbefli-ed 0 life?” " I “ ' x. 3‘41 .m.” use was still careful to keep her face screened from observation, though Magic tried to get a glim of her features as she turned partly to- wn the swinging lam just inside the door. “ Why should you ki yourself, madam 1” She looked quickly toward him. “ Why do on call me madam!” “ Because saw you this,” and he hand- ed to her the sock he had picked up nnperceivsd b her. . y“ Will you do me a very fast favor, sir?” “ What is iti I always 1 to oblige 8 lfldy in an hing at all meonable." I “ ve me." , " “ You “fish to be alone?” u 6'.” m“ ”0 make another attempt upon ybur Own 0. “ Why should it matter to you!” “ Because it is the duty of all persons tostay a would-be suicide in the momen of their temp- tation ” ‘ ‘ Not always.” “To in \thinking, “ Noti the person be borne.” . And she added quickly: “ There i a man on this boat whom I only discovered a few moments a o, to escape from whom I would even do the sod you have pre- vepted~my own destruction.” ‘ A man. Well, if you let me offer you my protection, I think I can relieve your mind from the strain. in that regard, madam—” 9., always.” lies suflered more than can At this second utterance of the word “ madam,” she interrupted: titan“ t“::§‘°.."°‘”.‘d§» a... .0 on. t , ~ . , the sock which she wi- , into her pocket—“ you might be 1a married women: find our remark now since I Inn 0 this boat w om you fear, I hava thought thatill; may be your husband.” “ I am not married,” she repeated. “ But the man on this boat is a merciless wretch, and has pursued me for moaths to wreak an injury upon me_n “ Let me be, then. your protector.” “It is impossible !" u so?” “ Alas! I fear "—and she almost wailed the words-“ nothing can protect me from the man I mention, unless it ‘be death.” I. “ What has the sock to do .with thi man i” queried Magic, who wished to prolong the con- versation. Instantly she wheeled and half ran back into the saloon, pausing only long enough to sa ': “ Sir, I don’t like your interference at all.” And she was gone. Nearly in the same moment a man came upon Magic from the extremerear of the guard, and said, peremptorily: “ Are you acquainted with that lady?" “ Perhaps I am.” And the detective demanded in tum; " What is the object of your question i" “ Because I am interested in her, and I do not like to see her addressed by any one but friends, that‘s all.” “ Perhaps you are the man she seems to stand in such mortal fear of?” casting his eyes keenly over the other, to note that,he was a man of burly build, but of that cast of countenance which so frequently indicates the individual who does most of the fighting with the month. And somehow Magic felt such a sudden inter— est in the vailed female—who, if he could not get a glimpse of her face, at least seemed to be pessessed of a wonderfully exquisite figure— that he wished this party might prOVe to he the party in question, for a reason. “Did s tell you that there wasa man on this boas, . whom she was afraid!” “ She did.” The man laughed coarsely. “ Well, then, I uess I must be the one. And I'll make her—an you, too, if you don’t look out—more afraid of me before I’m through with her.” “What has she done to you?” “ That’s none of your business.” “A man seeing a lady in distress might some- times take a notion to make it his business to interfere, though,” was Magic’s very calm re- joinder. , “You try it my flue fellow—tr it!" blus- tered the man, instantly. “ And if don’t giVe you all you want of it before you get through, then I’m—” - He had raised his clinched fist rather close to Magic’s face. ‘ Without a word, the detective cut short his speech in a way that seemed to knock the unfin— ished sentence down his throat. There was a thuck of knuckles on bone and flesh, and the man staggered and fell, half- stunned, upon the guard-deck. CHAPTER II. , _ _- A Irma um. " before thee lsed and hlyvde'alt-with roman regained-h s feet. Then he dashed up and after the one who had administered to him the quick and masterly punishment. . Little Magic had dissp red. The man tglanced fiercely around, stepping rapidly to e opposite door and returning, castin scowling g ances toward the rows 32nd piles o freight along the aisles. “Why, durn him i” he exclaimed. “He doesn’t weigeh as much as I do by a hundred node at V net. I oulght to be able' tumult im—and 1‘ Will, if can get sight of him aln.” “Under the light that swung before the ladies’ cabin the man could be seen to he, besides one of large build, one of those who strangely com- bine a rufiian countenance and manner which reveal so prominently unsuitable a gentlemsnl attire; for he was even scrupulously dressed: and above the tasteful collar and tie was a face decidedly brutish, now disfigured, too, by a slight bruise above one eye. _ . The fact that he could not find his so recent adversary seemed to kindle his courage the more. ~ He was about to burst forth again. with threats of what he would do if he could grasp his late assailant, when a vonce inta-rupted fro the brass-shod stairs: A ‘&ello, flipper, where have you been keep- ing yourself ’r ‘ Force ——that you?” “Yes; ’ve been looking for you ever since. the parser made his round for the tickets. Wb , how did you. get that black' eye?" and- den . “ 1”,“ had a little trouble.” “ So I reckon. What about?” “ The r1.” " on: - The man on the stairs, who had been address- ed as mm, started to come further down. But Harper waved, him back, an ing: “ on. I’ll come up. I want to tel you something.” . As they ascended to the berth saloon, a face Ru . «.’~ I. {f — verificuw‘mv. Mark Magic, Detective. anl then a form appeared coming forward from the gloom among the boxes. A very dandifled young man with an eye- gl uss on one eye and fashionably-fitting clothes. He advanced to the door of the cabin. But this had sinCe been closed. and a stalwart negress presented herself obstructingly before him. ' -~i_?ain’t go in dah, sah. Dah‘s no ’mittance fo' men.” “ Ahi Is-a—there a—a young lady in black in there, do you know—oh? “ Day is. Is you wid her, sah?” “No. But since I—a—can’t enter, will you please give her this?” I While speakin , he drew from his pocket is card upon wh h he hastily scribbled a few mes. "Take this to her, if you please, and after- ward I would like in speak to you again,” and at the same time he slipped a quarter into her hand. As the iiegress started to execute the errand, the young dandy hastily descended to the berth saloon. He Was just in time to see the two men, Harper and Forceps, enter one of the compart- ments. n Sauntering leisurely past. he made a mental note of the number and position of the compart- nient, then walked out upon the deck that nar- rows past the windows. Pausing beside a window, the pane of which was open and the blind of which was closed, he stepped noiselessly close and endeavored to spy inward. He could only perceive that the occupants had a light of some kind there other than what the saloon lights gave, and was in time to hear the man called Harper say: “ Yes. I haven’t played round the town since I was a kid for nothing: I tell you there’s some mischief brewing for us that we hadn’t counted on." "' And you think _this fellow you sandy you had the set-to with is going to be mix up in it! ‘ “ M idea exactly.” “ I but can he know about it!” “Now you’re asking riddles. I only jud e i was reaching for his weapon, to hold the angry D by what has transpire The girl was actual y going to commit suicide to get away from me, when this fellow ate? in, prevents her and of- ten his protection. a meant the offer, too, by this lick he gave me over the eye. We’ll have to keep a little closer to her, Forceps; we’ve fol— lowed, her too long now to let her slip as in that wav.’ ' . “ Right. For if she does kill herself before we find the boy we’ve had all our trouble and ex— pense for nothing.” “ You an’ I mustn’t ever also at the Elmo time. You watch her by day an I’ll watch 5 night. I tell you I’m going to have the chil , and she shall yet tell me where to find him.” “ The most unfortunate piece of the business was that you got on that spree and gave your- self so dead away. She might have married you, on would have been accepted as joint gun inn, and all would have been plain sail- in .” 5Yes, an’ dum it, she seems to know just what we’re after in regard to herself. For here we’ve been following her close for overamonth, and she hasn’t ever given us a chance to get her into our clutches." “Wasn’t she in the cabin all alone for u- WMMW “ Yes. What of it?” “Why, couldn’t you hava stalked in on her, and, by placing a knife at her throat, frl hten her into telling you where to find the chil --” “ Yes, an’ a pretty pickle we’d have been in. She would have screamed for all her Inn 3 were worth. Then comes the steWardess, a deck hands, the parser and the assengers, and before I'd have been able to say ack Robinson I’d have found myself thrown into the hold and turned over to the Philadel his authorities for treatment on the charge 0 assault with intent to kill. Oh, no; none of that in mine, Forceps. We must play a shadow game on her until the right time comes. and then we may cause her to just suddenly disappear, don’t you seal My word for it,i I once get her in some place alone, [can invent a means to compel her to divulge where the boy is. And I say it again: the boy and the money—or the boy or the money—I am bound to have, and that settles it. You turn in. We’ll watch her by turns, as I say-I by night, you by day. Good- night.” . The door 0 ed and closed, and silence reign-- ed in the litt e_berth compartmmt. The dandy listener outside withdrew from his int of eavesdropping a few steps, and shook imself, as if he be Just discovered some exert- ‘ful dut to perform. i “I t ink I am strikingatrail of some sort,” * », 7 he muttered. Ail» The voice was that of Little Magic. He entered the saloon and perceived the man as. ‘ ’ “cam “PM” “it?” ‘35 “3f . n a poo on w .~ “the entrance of the cabin ‘below the companion- ,w..'.: v Magic expected to receive an answer to the card he had sent in to the mysterious female in black, and was on his way to see the negress, when an unforeseen accident happened. In passing the man Harper, he inadvertently trod on his foot in such a. manner as to be quite painful to that party. Seeing iii the offender one whom he took to be one of those sinipleton dudes so common of late, he blustered: “Apologize for that. sir—apolo ize, I say, or I’ll chastise you for your impu ence, do you hear me?” “ Were you addressing me, sir!" “yes, you, you bandboxl You trod on my toe. “ Did I?” innocently. “ Apologize for it. do you hear me?” “I’m afraid I don’t know how.” “ You don’t? Then—” “The irate Harper sprung forward to deliver a ) ow. Then he was hugely astonished. Little Magic caught the descending arm, and by a terrific wrench twisted the man completely and helplessly around, nearly twirling him to his face on the floor. At the same time, the voice of the masquerad— ing dandy whispered loudly into his ear: “ Look out, my fine fellow, or you might not live long enough to find the boy you’re after.” There was something in these words that seemed to endow Harper with a supernatural strength, and his face became slightly livid With some intense passion. Wrenching himself free from the other's hold, be grasped up a chair and wheeled upon the ap- parent outh, crying: “I’ll rain you for that!” Little Magic was not so foolish as to imagine that the man would not strike with the chair. A blow delivered by such muscle as Harper evidently possessed would undoubtedly be either fatal or ma'imingly severe. A scene of combat was imminent, and ,the loud tones of Harper had caused several occu- pants of the compartments to throw open their doors to see the cause of the disturbance in the erst quiet saloon. But ere the chair could descend. and as Magic man in chec a voice came commandingly from the forward part of the saloon: "Hold on there, gents. None 0’ that aboard this boat, or I’ll put you both down in the hold! You hear me?” The urser, with a stern face presented him— self be ore and between the belligerents. “ Gentlemen, what’s the trouble. You are waking up the passengers; and you both look to me ike men who on ht to know better than to make an such ex ibition of yourselves if I ,maysp'oakp in l ‘7’ “ There’s nothég the matter as for as I am concerned, I assure you,” said the disguised de- tective, coolly. “ But there is with me I” exclaimed Har r, half foaming, and seeming to be undecide as to whether the purser had any right to inter- fere in such a case. “ This bandbox here trod on my toes as he was going past my chair, and then refused to apologize." “ Oh, no I didn’t. I only said I was afraid I didn’t know how to apologize to a man who seemed to be more of a bear than a gentleman.” “ It’s a slight matter, gents, to come to blows about, particularly as it must be evident that it was an accident and one liabletooccur on all boats where people are passing one another continually. Why, if 1 was to fly into a pas- sion every time somebody trod on my toes, I’d have more fights to attend to than I have busi- ness for the company.” " He’s ot to apologize to me,” declared the dissatisfie Harper, scowling and speaking with hoarse loudness. “ Oh, apologize to him,” suggested the pur- ser, to the youth. “ It’s a small matter that will pacifv him—” “ I shall do nothing of the kind,” res nded Mfgdic, with a slight spirit of mischie in his m n ' “Then I’ll make you, purser or no parser." As Harper uttered the words, again he grasp— ed up the chair. The officer endeavored to interfere, and his outstretched arm received a blow from the de- scending and impromptu weapon which dis- abled him for the moment. But with his other hand, he placed a whistle to his lips and blew a shrill blast. Seldom was it that the call for the boat’s crew sounded for help to the officers. The negroes on the lower deck started {0 their feet in astonishment but acted prompt- y. Up through the companionways, forward and aft they came, rushing in upon a scene that was big l_v colored with the brush of con- ict. Her r had leaped upon the table as he found himsef attacked by both the dandy and the host officer, and was isi the chair to bri it, down on the ban of t e first who shoal reach to lay hold upon him. . ‘ - - _ “Harper, you fool! what are you up to!" cried the voice of Forceps, who just then came running from his berth. “I’m whipping the whole boat, if they don’t make that bandbox apologize for treading on mv—” Further utterance was cut short. The crew, taking in the situation at a glance— seeing that the purser desired to capture the man on the table—sprung forward, an'l one of them came toward the warlike Harper along the table top. The chair came down on the negro‘s head with a thump: but the hard skull received it without a flinch, and the next instant Berry Har r was entwined with a pair of muscular blac ' arms. CHAPTER III. “THE MAN 1s A DETECTIVE!” “GOLLY, boss, you doesn‘t know how to hit wid a cha’r!” And the negro held the loud—mouthed and snarling man in his mighty arms, While the others grasped him by arm and limb. In a very short space Harper was overcome and somewhat crestfallen as he realized that his fine suit and general appearance had been sud- denly transformed into rumples and creases and tears in some places. Forceps stood aloof, contemplating the seene Willi a frown. . "Bind him and take him down into the hold,” ordered the purser, rubbing his aching arm. “Such persons are dangerous if allowed _their liberty on board a boat—” “Hold on, parser, hold on,” protested For- C(-‘ , pushing himself forward. ‘It’s all a mis- ta e of some sort—” , “Nary a mistake, sir. He’s nearl broken my arm, and wants to fight bad. He’ | go into the hold until we make Chesapeake City, and then 1’“ drop him 03 into the hands of a squire." This programme, both plotters saw, would throw t em complete] 0! the scent they were following and had evi ently been following for some time. “ But the gentleman is a friend of, mine, and I am sure must have been goaded into his action: he is sorr for it now, I can swear. And I’ll be responsib e for his qii‘ietness duringethe trip if you’ll let it pass. here won’t anything in re of the kind.” ‘ t wassoouhof the usual order of things to have anybody thrown into the hold on that line, that the parser paused to debate the matter, especially as he believed his passcngers to be of a better class of citizens. “Well, l’ll overlook it. But mind what I say: if there is the least sign of another dis- turbance on this boat between here and Phila- del hia, I’ll stop at the first landin I can ‘ i: ,i’md drop the gent right 01!. n’t for- go . Harper had relapsed into a sullen silence. Perhaps it struck him, too, just then, after hearing the expressed intention of the officer, that he was placing himself in a fair way to be turned from the trail after the veiled female. The bonds that the crew had commenced to at on him without any more ceremony than if he had been a common malefuctor, were removed, and the crowd of crew and passen- gers began to disperse with various mutterings in regard to the somewhat mysterious affair. Forceps drew his companion into the berth- 00m. “ What in thunder are you thinking about, old man, cutting up such shines? Haven’t you a bit of sense? You nearly caused us to be set adrift and possibly lose forever the trail after the b0 ' and the diamonds—for I can tell you, one i e girl gets out of our sight, we‘ll have a hard time finding her again, if we ever find her at all. Brush yourself u a little.” By the light ofn small antern, han ing from a chain, which the two had brought w th them, Harper rearran ed his attire, all the while maintaining a Sn len silence. When he had made himself congntively preSentable a ain, he sudden] excl: ed: “ burn my sad, if I don’t ink [see through the whole thing!” “ What thing?” “ About that snob treading on my toes." “ ghgitdabont it?” ” , “ e it on 'rpose. ' ‘ “ What makespy‘ou think so!” ' “Just to accomplish what the purser was gov ing to do with me!" “ Put vou of! the boat?” It Yes"), “ What could he want to do that for?" “ Are you blind?” “ What do you mean i” “That same bandbox-looki chap is the same who knocked me down a ittle while ago and announced himself the would-be protector '- of the girl.” “ I on’t catch ‘on. The fellow you spoke abOut and described to me doesn’t agree with the appearance of that dude you just now had the difllculty with.” “ In my mind he dons—only he is disguised _ now—4nd up. He‘tmd on my toes purposely ' l‘ 4 to provoke a fight and have me put off as art of is plan to rotect the girl. I see it pain enough if you on’t.” Forceps gazed hard at his companion for a second, and his face assumed a very grave look. “If that’s the case,” he said, owly, “then there’s something more to be considered." “ What like?" “If this fellow is one who makes up at dis- guises, he is more than a mere accidental champion for the girl.” “I think it’s now my turn to ask you what you mean i” “ The man is a detective.” Each stared into the other’s eyes for about a half-minute. Then Harper said, with a glance around, as if he half-expected to see the subject of their conversation at their elbow: :: Do you really think so, Forceps?" “How could a detective get mixed up in this aflairi” , "That’s more than I can guess. But I have a feeling that way, that’s all,” and Forceps nodded meanin ly. “ It couldn’t that young lover of hers that she had for awhile before we started in to se- cure the prize?” said Harper, thou htfully. “ It did not resemble him at all, alt ouin 1 only saw him once. And she must have given bim,the slip and by too, the quick way she left Washington. tween two days.” The two appeared to be plunged into a mutual depth of ,thou ht at this suggestion that po.~si- big the champ on of the irl was a detective. hen Harper said, sud enly: “ Turn in again, and 1’! go back to my watch.” movin toward the door. “Don’t get into any more scrapes, mind,” warned Forceps. “No, I won’t. But I shall get rid of this man, if he is a detective, you can bet.” “ How i” " You’ll see.” “ But if he is a man of disguises, you won’t know whether you strike at the right one or not,” said Forceps, who fully understood the latent menaco of the other’s remark. Without vouchsaflng more, Harper went to the saloon. Meantime, and while the saloon was still low— ly humming with the voices of several who had remained to discuss the recent brief combat, Little Ma in bad slip quietly away from the crowd an descend the companionway. He found the stewardess at the door of the cabin, both awaitin him and straining her neck upward to see, she could, what the dis- turbance was in the upper saloon. “ Did you give the card to the lady, aunty ?” “Yes, sah. Yar’hs w’ot she give me back ag’in fo’ you,” and she handed over the same card on which the defective had previously written his message to the vailed female. What Magic had written was this: "You had better retire. and you will besafer in the cabin than in a state-mom. I know man you fear and will keep an eye on him w ile you sleep. Fear not. A him." The response to this message, from the lady in black, was: _ “Whoever you are, I thank you. I sadly need sleep—not having had much since I learned t at my euem was in ursuit of me. This much of 'our frie p I wil avail of' but trust that you wi not seek to into my affairs. I am a much-wronged and an woman. I suppose you are the same person whom I met on the guard. I thank you and will do as you suggest." “Aunt ,” said the detective, as he slowly tore up t card. “Yes, sah.” ‘ “ Would you like to make five dollars and at the same time do a very good deedl” “'I would dat, sah.” “This young lady, to whom you took mv message, has a sachel you may ave noticed. In the sachel there is a small fortune of money. It is so much wealth, that she has all alon been afraid to go to sleep, lest somebody rob er of it. Now, want you to keep a cial e eon the bunk she occu ies-understan ; and your five,” givin er the crisp note. " Yes, sah. I‘ I do it, sah," responded the woman who had listened to his announcement with widening orbs. Mark Magic had invented the story about the wealth being in the sachel carried by the vailed ere’s female. ' But he little dreamed that he was speaking more of truth than falseth at the time! And the negress noticed, after returning to the .cabin and carefully marking the bunk oc- cupied by the mysterious person, that she had rather careless] placed the sachel at the outer end of her pil ow, though under it, and not altogether out of view because of the looseness of the curtain at the head of one bunk and the foot of another. Approaching the bunk, she said, respectfully: “ issus, you’d bes’ drag dat dar satchil on t’udder side de bed, I reckon. les’ somebody mi ht try 10’ to steal it.” ‘ Thank on. I did not know it could be jeep,” and t 0 article disappeared quickly. - movement of the "P'v ' "»': , 2—,“... a._..-.. w..-" .. fl- me“ i l ;' Mark—Magic, Detective. “ Di’mun’s in dar—jew'lry—unhunh!" mut- tered the stewardess, withdrawing, with eyes occasionally rolling toward the curtained bunk. And throughout the night, though she nodded at times as she sat on the narrow cushion, near at hand, the faithful negress kept a vigilant watch upon the hiding-place of Wealth which her untutored mind magnified to enormous pro- portions. Magic step£ped out upon the guard and into the deep sha ow cast by the upper deck. A few minutes later an elderly gentleman came in at the door through which the detec- tive had made his egress. He wore spectacles and had white hair. But beneath the disguise, withouta vesti e of either himself or his former disguise, was ark Magic. He ascended to the main saloon. Harper was there, reading a paper by the dimly burning lamps. The detective produced a paper and seated himself at a short distance from the man, to en- gage himself likewise in reading}; hus through the night the ours went by, Magic determined that he would not lose a rsonage who was, he now had reason to be] eve, engaged in some deep plot against the mysterious vailed female. ’ Morning came at last, and the propeller was steadily churning its way up the broad Dela- ware, when Forceps came forth from his berth- room. ' Ap roachin his confederate, he said, lowly thou a: not so ow as to prevent the keen-care and ynx—eyed detective from overbearing the remark: “There’s a couple of hours to spare, ma be more, before We get to Philadelphia; you’d t- ter turn in and snatch a nap.” " I will. Be wide alert, Forceps. She’s in the cabin below.” “ Any develo mentsl” “ None, only saw that bandbox fellow ialk- ing down there to the stewardess. and she gave him a missive of some kind. And I now feel sure that he was the same fellow who knocked me down and that be is watchin over the girl. But We’ll get rid of him if the sl ghtest opportu- nity offers, mind.” ‘ Have you seen him since i” U N3.” With which, Haiéper sought his bunk closing the door and inten ing to catch a short repose before the propeller reached its wharf. In the mormn haze and a promise of another sultry day, the t arrived at her dock, and the passengers wore ready to debark, waitin in groups on the decks. viewing the scenery o shi ping about or bustling after their baggage. uddenly Forceps felt a tug at his sleeve. Harper was at his side, whispering: “ Come. Where are your eyes. 've spotted him, and I think there’s a good chance to get rid of him if he’s a detective or whoever he is." The two hastened from the saloon to the star- board bow, where Harper said, guardedly. as he pointed :~ ‘ There he is." Adding, intensely, with another breath: “ It’s a good chance, for as the boat bumps on. the fenders, nobody will know but what it was an accidental pitch overboard. Now then, slide up; both push at once when I wink!” CHAPTER 1". AN momsmvn Imsnwonax. STANDING by the rail, apparently engrossed with the scenes and clamor of the early morn- ing bilsiness around the wharf, was a young man who did indeed seem to be the dude youth of rominence during the previous night. e two evil ones approached him carelessly, one on each side. . He gave them no glance, not even turning his head to permit of their making sure that it was the one upon whom they really had murderous designs. Twice, thrice had the boat struck the pier with a jar that made the passengers rock on their feet, and just as the pair ained what seemed to offer a suitable position or their pur- pose, a sin came the crunching, jarring, sway- ful col ision with the pondcrous spiles which nearly sent some of the passengers staggering backward. It might be a question whether the young man himself exactly knew how i: happened, but suddenly, accom anying the jar in a mo ' form that swam boldly ami the debris and ' r clutched the arnients of the imperiled one. I ' “ . Imperiled, or b the swerving motion of the , steamer and the act of the presence of many as smaller craft at her side, it was possible that ’t It the humans beneath might at any moment he "of crushed to death. . ‘ A bold swimmer it was, thou h, for be dragged the other easily as if he he been a floating cork to the stern of the yacht, where rmdv , hands grasped them and drew them up to ? safety. j The murderous plotters did not pause to see .' whether their attempt had been successful (11' ,- not. . Harper had immediately said: _ '2. “Come, we must be below when the ang- plank is run out, or the girl may make a and .- ing so far ahead of us that we shall lose her in g s the crowd.” _ ,2; ' As they disappeared down the companion- 1/ way, Ma ic, in his disguise as the little old gerz- V into one of the staterooms, tin tleman, s ipped .key of whic had been left in the door by tlit recent occupant, who now had no further use for it. Within less than the spaco ofa minute a rather singular-looking female came forth from the state—room and hastened down to the freighi 3». deck. She was a buxom specimen of the farmer’s wife, and Irish at that, as her peculiar attire indicated and the lines of her face betrayed. Nearing the space before the cabin whencr the plank was to be run out she stepped lman~ diately up to the black-dressed and vailed . female that has taken a mysterious part so far {1 in our narrative. ~ This party now carried a sachel in one hand it and a larger sachel that was almost a good-sized 1'- valise in the other. ‘ “Ye’re strainin’ av yer narves, miss, o‘ye moind, with thim two thrunks a-draggin’ av ye - down.” _ “ Oh, no, I do not mind it,” was the reply, a little shrinkingly. “An’ here am, d’ye see, with nary a thing . g ‘ av me own to carry, an‘so I’ll just be afther givin’ ye a bit av al ft, so I will.” “ Oh, never mind—” “Tush! Don’t ye moind what I’m a-sayin’ when Itell ye I’m the head av me own house intil the kentry back in Maryland, where me ould man’s too weak to lift much an’ many’s the toime I’ve carrit me own thrunk down to the shteamboat landin’, I have,” and .as she spoke, and in such a way that the vailed female seemed unable to resist, the seemingly Well— intentioned woman reached and took the heavier sachel from the farmer’s hand, insisting upon carrying it. _ _ { “Maybe ye’ve a long ways to go intil the city, an’ I’ll be givin’ e a little bit av a lift, - ‘ust, d’ye moind, that‘l make the thravel easier. ’ e know much about the city, miss, or are ye a sitrangther here!” ‘ ‘ No response. 1; , “If ye’ve no knowin’ of where ye are a-goin .- ; maybe I can help ye a bit, af ye ll tell me who ye’re wantin‘ to nd " . it As long as you are so kind,” came the eva- i sive response now, “ if you will on] help me to the street cars with that’sachel, I s all be very grateful.” ’_ . “ Certainly I Will that, miss, an’ glad to do it, Now, then, be careful that ye’re not ttin’ seppyrated from me, d’ye moind," can ioned the woman, as the increasing crowd now beganx . to sway forward to the plank where the crew . ,-' were standing with it partly raised and ready 1. 7’ to run out. ' Another moment and there was a slapping crash of the heavy planks on the wharf an the crowd surged across, the Irishwoman keeping close to the companion she had insisted upon making for herself, and ng the large 5 sachel as if it was no more t an a feather's ' wei ht. ' _ arper and Forceps were close behind the p two as they hurried off along the what, ‘1 " .3; -'. .e, ,. E’s. ..« $5.453 . .J ' 1 -e— ——. >4... 'fv‘fflwm‘fifimtnarmn ._,,,__,, . V a. first. ... .- fimm‘ '« .. * elkoegie " Will ye abject to tellin’ me yer name?" in- quired the Irish woman, as she and the mysteri- ous young lady were proceeding westward in an Arch street car. For at the car, she had insisted that her own route required her to take that very car, so she might as well continue to assist With the heavy valise. “My name is—is Julia Dieriug,” replied the other, with some hesitancy. “ It’s a very agreeable name y_e have. Mine’s Bridget McPathrick, an’ I’m Irish, though I’m American born. An‘ where are ye goin’ might I ask?" The question seemed to arouse a feeling of im- patience or uneasiness in the person of the vailed female. Her companion was. she thought, ver ac- commodating to assume the carrying o the heavy valise, but her questions were growing to be somewhat of an annoyance. “ I am going to see some friends—3’ “Am where do they live?" ,came another guestio‘n, almost before the first reply was fin- b “0n Siuth Sixth street.” “Ye don't say! Look a’ that! Whoy it’s there I'm goin’ meself this blessid minute. An’ how far down Sixth street are Ye goln', now!” “Nearly to South street. That is all [can tell you,” was answered in a way that meant to convey the announcement of an unwillingness to give any further information. “ South street, is it? Whey, look a’ that! An’ sure it’s not far from that Same South street we own husband’s brother lives—Michael Mc- Pathrick, that is—an’ betide it's meself made a men av ’im an’ put the money intii his pocket when I marrit Dennis McPathrick an’ bought the farrum—” " Will you please let me out at South street!" here interrupted the voice of the veil- ed female. addressing the conductor of the second and crossdine car which they had enter- ed during the diaIOgue. " Yes, miss.” The Irishwoman became silent after this. Before a millinery shop near the corner of South street. the young lady who had called herself Julia Diering started to alight. “ Is it here ye‘re gittin’ out!” asked Mrs. Mc- Patrick. H X'es.” But as she reached to take up her valise, the Irish woman said: “ L’ave it alone until we’re on the pavement or intil the house, an’ I’ll carry it stil for yees. Be me sowl; it‘s a strange thing, for here’s where I’m a-goiu’ to get out mes lf. Me bro- tlier-in-law’s house is just round t ecorner be- yant, an’ I’ve not far to go,” and with the valise igersistently in hand, she followed Miss Julia ierin from the car. At t e side-door to the millinery shop, the vailed lady rung the bell—a summons that was answered by a large-built and kindly-faced lady. " Is this Mrs. Duffy!" inquired the caller. “I am." “ My name is Julia Diering. I am from Bal- timore." “Oh, come in. I expected you today, but hardly as early as this. I am glad to see you. And we shall need you to—day on work. if you think you are not too tired to commence at once.” They entered! the hallway-the Irishwoman keeping close. And when inside, Mrs. McPatrick said: " I’ll thank you for a glass av wather, av ye please.” “This lady has kindly assisted me with my valisc,” said Julia Diering, in explanation to the glance bestowed upon Mrs. McPatricl by the proprietress of the miliinery shop. “Just step this wa , Miss Diering, and I’ll in- troduce you to my orewoman, while I send a glass of water to this lady.” " I am very much obli to you," Julia said, pausing for a. moment fore Mrs. McP. and taking up the vallse which had been the cause of their brief a uaintance. " It‘s very we come ye are.” The proprietress and her new employee-for it was evident that Julia Diering had come there to beemployed—departed to a room at the far rear of the hallway. But Mrs. McPatrick did not want a glass of water. . No sooner had they vanished from sight than go performed a remarkable transformation at. The female attire suddenly and utterly dis- appeared, and out of the combination of furbe- lows and skirts emerged Little Magic! Hastin he stepped to the door, and in his own prpper person emerged upon the street— Just in time to observe the two men, Forceps and Harper—who had evidentl spotted the house into which their quarry had entered— turning the near comer. “I think the matter is taking some shape,” muttered the detective, starting to follow the evil couple. “I have ascertained the name of the irl, but I have not yet had a glimpse of her ace. I have learned that these two beau. \ . l ties calling each other Harper and Forceps, are ; working some game against the girl, in which there is a boy, to find whom seems to be the ' principal object, for there is a hint of money in such a find. I don’t think the girl is a crook: ‘ but I do think that I am on the track of a pair of crooks in Harper and Forceps. Let us see what will come of it.” The two men did not cast a backward glance after entering South street and moving slowly eastward. , At a low rum-shop they paused and then went in apparently for a drink. Owing to the warm weather, the door was ‘ wide 0 en, with a green screen across. 1 Magic gained a point near enough to hear a i mutual exchange of salutations between the l comers and the proprietor, and a few seconds ‘ later ascertained that all were old acquaint~ auces and the comers from Baltimore were ask- ing about taking a room as a sleeping apart- merit. L atisfled that he knew where the villains would make their stopping-place, he entered another restaurant on the opposite side of the street, from which he presently came forth, in the guise of a little 0d gentleman which we ' have seen him assume on the boat. . In this attire, he sought the millinery shop of Mrs. Duffy, entering as if he was on business bent. Two females were in the shop-Mrs. Duffy for one, and the other about the most beautiful girl, he thought, he had ever seen. CHAPTER V. mass nouns-sin COUNCIL. THE place entered by the two men, Berry Harper and Forceps, was one of the lowest of low dives that abound along that particular vi- cinit of South street. Be ind the sloppy bar was a man with rubi- . cund countenanca and sluggish eyes. with his sleeves rolled up and head tossed back in a sort of bravado style—tossed back a little more, as ‘, be instantly cried. harshly: I, “ Why, hulio! Forceps, my lark, where’d you " drop from?" i The two shook hands over the almost thread- bare counter of mixed dark paint and white ‘ s lotches, showing that there was at certain I times considerable business transacted there. t “Sandy, my old partner, we‘ve landed in ; town on a blaziu’ racket. we have. This. here’s ‘ my true friend, Berry Harper. A regular, he is; but a little out just now, you fiy—” , “ bake,” interrupted the broad and red- 5 faced Sandy, extending his arm and hand to ’ ward Harper. “ n’ take somethin’ with me. , I‘m allus powerful \glad to See anybody what’s a friend 0’ my old pal here, Forceps. Him an’ me’s been on man a sail together, we have, an’ a heap we seen fore I quit off such husi- 3 ness an’ settled. down to make a’ honest livin’.” ’ While a kinp, he was setting out the de- 5 canter an bot} es, adding, as he placed the" latter before them: “You'll find that the genuine thing, an’ no i mistake. I don't deal it out to customers; it"s mv own private bottle, that is.” He seemed to be in high good-humor over this unexpected visit from Forceps, and was equally gracious t0ward his friend. He grinned hugely as be poured for himself a drink. during a moment’s silence; and then the three imbibed. Force wiped his mouth-and said: “Were goin to stop over with you for a couple of da s ‘ “ That’s a1 right. I’ve got just the daisy of a room for you. “ Private 1” “ You bet. Why. d’you so I’d give any pard o’ mine a public room, w at had business to talk an’ plans to fix for the campaign in town? Oh, no! I ain‘t that kind 0’ man, an' you know it, Forceps, you do." Sandy came out from behind his bar and, with a jerky nod ahead, led the way to a g . back door and up a narrow flight of stairs to a small room in the second-story. Besides being small, it lacked ventilation to a sufficient degree, and the atmosphere was any- thin but leasant. “ ow’l this do?" be queried. “ First class," replied Forceps, sending his hat onto the dirty bed with a twirl, and pro- ceeding to remove his coat. “ Been traveling?” Sandy inquired. “All night on a cussed ittle narrow-decked steamboat, where a feller couldn‘t turn around both ways at once without bumpin’ his nose.” “ Than I reckon you two want to turn in an’ take a snooze?” “Nary a snooze—and, Sandy—” as the pro- prietor turned to leave them. “ Well, what’ll it he?” as he thought Forceps wanted to order a fresh lot of drinks. “Hold on a minute,” waving one hand to- ward a chair. Har er threw himself into a seat and per- mitt Forceps to do all the. talking. ' “ I want to have a little talk with you, Sandy.” . , Dietecti. ; is right in your line;'you don’ “ 0h. all right.” “How is business?” “ Well, I must say I’m a—doin’ a little down in the bar, ’ticularly when some suckers comes in to play keerds an’ gits soaked till they don‘t . know whether change comes to ’em straight or not—’ “Oh, I don’t mean that,” Forceps broke in, ‘ with a sly nod. Sandy remained silent for perhaps a second. Then he said: “An' there’s nothin’ much t’other way just i now. Things is purty nigh down into a hole, the detective chaps hes us all spotted so fine— l’l’ait a minute.” He arose and stepped to the forward part of the room. Kneeling, he applied his eye to a large knot-hole in the floor. From this hole he could overlook the whole bar-room. “Come forward a little,” he requested, “so , as I can keep a eye onto the counter. I ain’t never busy this time 0’ day, but I have to keep a lookout all the same. also some nigger from the alleys round here'll take a opportunity to skip inside an’ help hisself.” That which Forceps had to so was in part of a programme suggested by h m to Harper as they were on their way to the low saloon. He deemed it prudent to say it, too, at close quar— ters. Drawing forward his chair to Sandy’s side, he, continued: “Then, if you are not doing much yourself, I suppose you wouldn’t object to an old friend getting you into something?" “Dont know so much bout that,” was the war reply. “ You see ”-—and he talked as free y to the man who was evidently an old and crooked pal of his, as if the third party, Harper, had not been present—“ you see, I’ve been up L since you an‘ I met last.” “_What!—you've been in the jug?” “You just bet I have, an‘a big one, too. Why, I ,ain’t been out o’ Moyamensing fer . more'n a month.” Force s expressed his surprise. . “ An the w‘a I haw]: to do it non-1;” the rogue pursue , ‘ or to at the an ma 'e m rooms here a sort 0’ head-qua rtgrsfan’ I git it share in the boodle what comes in fer doin’ of it. But, as I said, there ain’t much doin’ that-a—way just about now: the detec’s are buzziu’ it lively as bees, an’ it’s on’y oncet in a 5 ll ’at any 0’ in boys makes a haul. There’s andy, the Bol twister. an’ Hotel Harry, an’ Boardin’-house Sal, an’ a lot more what allus used to keep up a good thing of it—they’re laid up sorter fer re- pairs an’ shade fer their health while the c are thick, as I said. No, I ain’t doin’ m ; fact is, I daren't do anything myself. I’d b0 pulled in less ’11 no time—” “ But, Sandy, what I want to opfin up togou ave to o a thing, except to help an old pard on the way of doing the usinese. You don’t show up atoll, until time for the divvy.” ‘ ' '- “ What kind of a racket are you makin‘!” “ Well, we’re going to mm a beautiful i here an’ keep her shut up not she tells us ust where to look for a lie of wealth she’s got id- den somewhere. , e’ve been off and on her track for a ion spell, now; we know our game‘ thorough] . a can spring a thumb-screw on— to her wh ch will he sure to bring out all the in— formation we waut. After we get it, why, she can henlet go wherever she wants to- we needn’t 1.9- s “ Let go?” ‘len “ An’ durin’ the time you’re a-workin’ the nfiws outer her, she’s kept here in my place, a l" H Ts‘ravslidt.” d did I d hing ’ “ y,o par , ever 0 an t to make you think I was a fu’st-class fool?" “ Oh, no, Sandy!” . “ An’ you want to make a trap o’ my place, Fit the money or Whatever it may he,,an than at her bring the whole Marion 0’ policeman right down onto ml by, what are you talk- mir about? had lo 1 n l I. creeps au w y. a r nted. “ I’ve thong t all that outfall fi’former. “ When we’ve got what we want and the irl’s. “7 ' let go. you—and neither of us, either—w: be around these diggin’s." “ You mean it’ll “ You’ve struck it first time, San y “ It‘ll take some hundreds in hard cash for to induce me to do that thing,” the barkeeper re. marked, eying bis visa-ms to see the effect of the declaration. Again Force'pslanghed. e “ Hundreds. heexelaimed in disdain. “Why old man, we’re gomg to give you thousands, i vou’ll . o in all square and for all you can. It won either.” “ How much is in the thing, anyhow?” “ Here’s the case. straight as a shroud-rope: My friend, here, was on the point of being mar- ried to the girl, when she up an’ I , giving him the mitten. Now she has, somewhere in these United States, more diamonds than you and I could carry in a bag." I take any money at all on your side, i W. , ’ y . pay me tohlose gage git!" ‘ J .I “Git out!" broke from Sandy. incredulously. “Oh, it'sa fact! I am not making u any- thing for fun; I haven’t got the time. e’ve been on the lookout for a chance to bag her and confine her somewhere. I say we have the thumbvscrew that will make her talk, once we get her stowed away. She‘s bound to tell us; she can’t refuse. But I needn’t give the reasons to you. Depend on what I’m saying as a fact, and no mistake in the programme. The truth is. Harper, here, and I must confess to being a little down at the heel. We haven’t tools nor 'ng else to carry out our little plan. You rt set us up with the ueCessaries, and my ord for it, in less time than a week you'll be glad enough to get out of the country, with a sachel full of diamonds as your share in the proceedings.” “About how much do you reckon the dia- monds will mount up to—the whole pile ’at you’re after i” “ Something like a million, I “guess.” “ Do you know it fer a fact? “ Yes. Isn’t it so, Berry?” turning to his com- panion for an indorsement of the almost fabu- ous assertion. “ What Forceps says is so, ever ' word,” re- sponded Harper, impressively. “ hen [had i e honor of enigying the young lady’s society, r deposit in a safet -vault, n Washington, several be of diamon s, the con- tents being examined fore my own eyes by the receiver at the vault.” “ An’ what’.l my share be?” queried the red- faced rogue. “Diamondsto the amount of ten thousand dollars,” replied Forceps, with the air of a nian who feels that he is making a splendid 0 er. Sandy seemed to be satisfied. “ n the thing wide,” he urged. “Let us hear first what it is you want me to do.” “First, have on any room where she could be shut up out she gives in to us?” “ I have a cemented basement what only has one door an’ that lets out into the area way of the yard. It’s a powerful ,stroug door; an’ there ain’t no windows at the front, so she couldn’t make any noise ’qt would be heerd out- side. We c'u’d fix the place up like a room, an’ as on say it Won’t be long before she gives in, it’ do for the occasion, I guess.” “ Yes, that will do. Then we want a good set of tools—you know.” “ You mean fer to ka into a house with!” “ Exactly.” “Reckon I kin find ’em. There‘s a lot been layin’ rouu’ here just gittin’ rusty fer the want 0’ use, ’cause 0’ the reasons I shouted to you a minute a o.” A “ Thats 00d. So far all well. Now we want, a sup y of chloroform and a stout, large and e the her in uiringly. “Thoiem for fie girl,” orceps ex lained. " We chloroform her first. then slip her nto the bag and bring her here—” ‘~ “\Why, do you reckon you c’u’d walk far ‘-with that there load without bein’ stopped by the police. at the hour 0’ the night ’at on want to be adoln’ this thing?” exclaimed t e saloon— .keeper, at at Forceps as if he thought he Has about deliberately put his neck in “ My dear Sandy, I’ve thou ht out that part of it, too. The house we’re go ng to break into isn‘t a stone’s throw from here, and unless I’m very much mistaken, I saw, as I came in that the alley which runs u alongside your ouse leads to the alley-gate o the house we’re work- ing. You see. it’s all plain sailing; we just bag the girl an’ run her into our basement with- out showing ourselves on e street at all. All we want is the necessary outfit for the can ing out of the programme a hole to put thqgir in; then, as I say within iess than a week you will have enough to warrant your closing up the den (1 making yourself scarce.” “h A ’s explanation seemed to satisfy the man w 0 had in times past, when the two plied a nefarious calling together, looked upon Forceps as a superior genius for plot- I actually saw ting. “Ireclmn it’s all right,” he said "if things ‘work as you’ve t’em down. When do you ‘ want to start out ” _ “ That is something that we~ can’t say until - we have done a little spying.‘ But you’ll do yourYpart eh!" r “ es, I’reokon so. I‘ll git the things fer you an’ have ’em ready for you against night.” “ for you, old man. And now, set ’em up. Let’s take something to celebrate the little ‘arran ement.” y departed to bring up the required ,‘ Can you rely on him?” Ha r asked. “Every time. I guess he’s etping mi hty shady since he got out of Moyamensing, w are he says he’s been: but in this he sees a chance to enrich himself without much show of expo- sure-fry The to e was not long gone. A few minutes later the Villainous trio were gushing of the fiery bever e which was set ’ fore them on the rough pine able. liquor. Mar 0, Detective. CHAPTER VI. MAGIC AND HIS BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. TEE youn lady with Mrs. Duffy at the time the disguis Magic entered the millinery-shop was a brunette of an almos peculiarly attrac- tive type. Her eyes were large, of hazel hue and liquidiy lustrous; her complexion nearly faultless in purity and not of that darkness which generally accompanies the t pe of brunette. Ears, mouth an nostrils, it seemed to the be- holder, were more like carvings from some ex- quisitely tinted and contoured shell: the lips invitingly pretty and notably having a pres- sure of firmness about them that appeared to be the only blemish to a complete repose of every feature. . Mrs. Dufl’y was at the moment explaining something to her new employee concerning the boxed goods upon the shelves: the young girl evidently beingJ intended for the counter busi- ness of the fas ionable and well-patronized es- tablishment. . “ I would like to bu some ribbon," said the little old gentleman, vancing to the counter. Mrs. Duffy whispered to the girl: “ Here is an opportunity for you to show what you know about ribbons, as you told me you were well informed in that line. and to see whe- ther you remember the method for calculating prices which I explained.” With this, she withdrew. “ What kind of ribbon will you have, sir?” “Ob, ’most an ‘kind, so long as it is broad enough for a c ild‘s sash and contains suf- ficient.” “ What is the complexion of your child i” Bein informed 0 several points regardin the 91: d for whom the ribbon was intending the new and beautiful clerk soon made a satis- factory selection and wrapped up the desired quantity. As she handed the small bundle eyer the coun- ter, she was using hard into the face of her customer a Me in felt an involuntary thrill, despite his trains nerves, under the influence of her lovely orbs. “Will you tell me why ou are following me?” came the unex ct and astonishing question from the exqu site mouth. “Followin you?" “Yes. W y are yet determined to be near mel What is our object? on cannot do- ceive me," and agic saw that des the firm lines around her lips, there was a slight pallor creefiing into her face. “ aven’t you made a mistake, miss?” “ No. I know you.” “You know me?” in simulated surprise. “ You are the same gentleman whom I met on the uard of the boat last night. You ac- compan ed me to this house a short while ago, in the disguise of a woman—I discovered that when you sat dowu in the entry for you re- vealed a ir of gaiters, the mar ing on the top of which I recognized as the same I had seen in the scant light from the Swinging lamp by the door to the guard-deck. I know you now, because that small heard you wear I de- tect to be false, and imaginin that away, I can see the same face I saw on t e guard-deck. I ask you why you are following me! Who are you, and what do you want?” She spoke with a perfect composure, though firmly, as if she was fully determined to exact an ex lanation from him. An Mark Magic had to admit to himself that this beautiful and mysterious girl was a thor- oughly keen persona e, to have discovered him in the manner that s e had. “ Then you are Julia Dieringi” he said queryingly, not losing sight of the fact that if it was she be had at last seen her face and per- haps learned her name. “ I am she. And now tell me: what do you want with mel” “ Really, to that, I must say, I do not want anything with you, except. perhaps, to protect you from a pair of rogues.” “ I received our note on the boat, and sent you a reply. am very much obliged to you for your interest, and I will hope that it is en- tirely disinterested. But I prefer to be left alone severely alone. As I told you then, I am a much- wronged woman, and I desire that no one shall seek to interfere in my affairs. If the worst comes to worst, I can do as I intended to do when you intercepted me on the boat." “ Drown yourself?” U Yes.” “And what of your child i—will it be bene- fited if you take such a mad leap out of the world?” It was a random remark, but be instantly saw that he had struck home, for the palenees of her face increased. “ You have no right to know anything .about my affairs,” she said. “ You are ri ht, miss—" " Besides, I 0 not feel uneasy now. I think [have eluded the one who is and has been so persistently dogging me. I may havo some rest ere, in t is comparatively Obscure position, where seldom any One but ladies would come, and perhaps at some time in the future re- joln—” “Your child, would you say i” f Aslight flame now crept into her beautiful ace. “You must excuse me. sir, from further con- versation,” and she turned as if about to leave the counter. “ Stay a moment, please.” “ What is it!” “ I’have two very important things to say to you. “ What are they 3” “ Are you aware that when people express a determined intention of making away with themselves, they can be arrested and confined for their own good’s sake?” A smile 0f derision so slight that it would have been imperceptible to any but the detec- tive’s keen eye, crept to her lips. “ I do not apprehend that I will be arrested." “You may .” “ There are no witnesses to the attempt 1 made upon my life but yourself—” “The man Harper also saw it,” H !l) “I can arrest him as a witness and prefer the charge myself. Look at this and tell me whether you doubt my ability to make out sumcient- cause a ainst you to have you confined asa per- son beni upon suicide?” He slyly exhibited his badge. He had determined to “come out ” to a cer— tain extent with the mysterious girl, is the ho that he could catch something from her eit or by startlement or through securing her confidence. _ “ You are a detective,” she half gasped, while the pallor came back to her face and the large, glorious eyes stared at the badge. “ Precisely.” With a sudden vehemence, though in a tone that was scarcely above a whis r, she de- manded, steppin again in front 0 him: “ If you are a etective, tell me why you are pursuing me? I have done no wrong—it is I who am wronged!” “I am pursuing you for your own good. as you must admit when I tellyou the second item for which I detained you.” “What is it?" “You are not by any means as safe as you imagine." “ Explain,” she uttered, with a q1l(‘k breath. “ The two men—ifor there are two of them after you—followed' you from the wharf to this house. Your enemy. whose name is Harper, knows exactly where you are at this minute.“ “Yes, yes, Berry Ha r is my mortal enemy, if ever woman he one in this world." she said, in. an accent of emotion and inward pain. Then she asked: “You cannot surely be engaged by them to hunt me down i” _ “ Not by_ a long shot!” burst from the deter-- tive, in an involuntarily characteristic way. And he added, while the hazel orbs seemed to Ibe searching for something in his inmost sou : “Miss, I am so far enough to know that see men fr0m whom on are fleeing are rogues of first water. Now. K I was made your confidant, I could perhaps suggest someway for getting rid of their per- secution without your entertaining thoughts of suicide to escape them—a thought which, if you persist in it, I assure you frankly, will cause me to have you arrested and confined for your own safety.’ Behind the counter she wrung her hands to- our friend. I knew ge er. “Alas, I know of no way to get rid of them except by constant fii ht; and I am afraid to go too far, lest I shal be wayhid by! Berry a ,and u n m persistin inre singto tell im what 0 wan me to to i, he mi ht not hesitate, in his rage, at killing me. e is a terrible man—” “Will you let me be the judge as to the possibility of a way by giving me your confl- dencel” _ For perha just one second, she seemed to hesitate, wit lips partly open yet held silent. Then in an outburst of resolution, she said: “I will do it. You shall know all. Imust protect my child!" . But she hastened to say, with another breath: “Not now, not now. I will see you again. I have talked too long here: my employer needs me in the rear room for further instruc- tion.” ’ “Whatever you do, do it early then," said M c, elated at having brought matters to so sat actory a pass, “else these rascals may nu you an irreparable injury before I can decide upon a method to protect or rid you of them.” “ I will see you to-night,” she said. “ At what hour?” “ Nine o'clock." “ Where?" “Ah, 1 cannot ap int a place—for it must be away from the ouSe—as I am an entire stranger in this great city." “Then I will make a suggestion. When you go out, walk t0wnrd Lombard street. thence westward to Eighth. Take a car north. and tell the conductor to let you out at Walnut . fans»; . _ . .ia; . '.‘.»,>‘ev,~,.‘.~ has“ .e as, _ . ‘- *" V‘ti'f-u'rs-tv mm as r .w: «catamaran-r, . .. x #7 ‘ «is _ Mark Magic, Detective. 7' street. Walk east from that corner till you come to Washington square. I will be there watching for you, and we can walk together while you explain to me and aIIOW me to be— come your friend. Can you remember the instructions?” “Yes. I will come. 1 have resolved to tell you all.” “ And you have resolved wisely. Good-day.” Mark Magic went out from the shop. And almost simultaneously the proprietress came into the forward part of her establish- ment, saying: “I hope you suited the gentleman in his purchase— Why, what is this?” picking up the small parcel which was lying on the counter. "Ah, the gentleman has forgotten his pur- . chase, after much trouble in making his selec- tion.” was the ready response. “ Well, he’ll miss it, I guess, and come back.” In the Course of the day the new employee ined the highest approval of Mrs. Duffy, by or kn0wledge of the ribbon department and aptness for catching fresh information regard- ing her future duties in the store. ‘Have you no friends?” asked the elderly lady. kindly, at a moment when they were together with no business engaging Julia. “ Yes, madam, I have two.” “ Only two in the wide world i” “ They are all.” “ Relatives?” “No, one is an old nurse who has been attached to me since I was a babe. Tne other-4’ . There was a hesitancy and accompanying it a s1' ht blush. rs. Duffy, a widow herself, caught the signl- flcance of both. “ Your lover, I presume?” “The gentleman to whom I am betrothed, madam.” “ I hope he is a good gentleman, for you look to bee very good girl- and there are so many ood girls throwing themselves awa nowa- ays that it is positiver ashame to e com- munitg'é” “I lieve him to be worthy madam. He , will probabl visit me soon, and as I am to be an inmate 0 your house, I hope ‘ou will not have any objections to his visitin ere!” “None at all,” replied geniaF Mrs. Duffy, who rather liked the idea of a courtshi pro~ pleading in her long-since quieted and Ionely ome. . At about the hour of dusk, when it was under- stood that J ulia’s duties were to cease, she said to Mrs. Duffy: “1 would ike to go out for a short time to make some little purchases for my toilet. I do not think I shall be gone long.” “ Very well, my dear. , Be careful you do not lose yourself, for you know you said you were a stranger here.” “ I shall be careful to note my way.” Once more in her deeply somber suit and thickly vailed, Julia Diering went forth upon the street, repeating to herself as she hurried alou the directions given her by the detective. Within five minutes after her departure a young man rung the door-,bell and inquired whether Miss Dierin resided there. “My name is arold Hammond,” he an- nounced to Mrs. Dufl'y. . “Miss Diering is expecting me from Washington.” CHAPTER VII. A woman‘s sraamn STORY. JULIA DIERING remembered the detective’s instructions admirably, and by following them, soon arrived at the corner of Eighth and Wal- nut streets. Having ascertained which was the eastern direction from the conductor, she alighted and hurried forward to meet the man with whom she had made the strange appointment. By the time she reached t ie square, night had fully settled down, and the locality, with the expanse of trees on the one side and the heavens above only humidly glimmering in the light of abalf cloud-hidden moon, had about it an air ' of desertion at the northwastern entrance to the local resort. As if people a prehended a coming storm, there were but ew forms visible w thin the gum, and scarcely a pedestrian in sight on the alnut street side. At the curb she paused. casting searching glances 05 along the spectral vista of trees bounding the western rail, fill their ancient shapes seemed to melt into a Stygian and ghost- ly blackness afar. And she was on excellent time, for just as she reached the pavement before the massive gate, the State House an its souorous strokes for the hour of nine flll ng the leafy domes of Independence and Washington squares with the quivering tremolo of its notes. A figure approached her, coming apparently from behind a tree. “ You are punctual to the minute, Miss Dier- in if e fi'yOu arc the party I am to see?" she asked, bending for a glimpse of his face as if uncertain of his identity. “Mark Magic, at your service,” he intro- duced. Magic was still attired in his disguise as a lit- tle old gentleman, a character he so frequently use . " What I have to tell you must be said quick- ly,” Julia said, with a.slight nervousness. “I had to tell a falsehood to Mrs. Duify to keep my engagement with on, and she may even now suspect wrong 0 me when I do return without any purchases—” , “Let us be moving on,” interrupted Magic; and almost in the same breath he exclaimed, lowl : “A—h!” “ hat is it?" Julia asked, arrested by the exclamation. “ Oh, nothing, only I have a fancy that you have been followed, that’s all.” “Followed! Why, who—” She checked the inquiry that was upon her lips, with a little gasp, for she well knew that if she was followed it could only be, probably, by her enemy, the man called Harper. “Do not be alarmed,” assured Magic. “It may have been no more than a fancy of mine. I shall keep a. good lookout, however.” He had led the way leisurely inside the gate to the graveled walk, and they were proceeding at an angle toward the Sixth street side, amid the cool loneliness of the square, Julia having taken his arm. “ Now, Miss Diering, if you will proceed with your story and make me your coufldant, I am sure you will have cause to be glad of it at some future time. I shall refer that you tell me in your own way, so sh not begin by ask- ing questions.” ulia, as if she attached more importance to his recent fancy concerning some one dogging their stepstas casting furtive glances about her, as if s e expected momentarily to be con- fronted by the man or men she dreaded. She observed that her companion avoided the darker portions of the square as they moved alo . and she asked: “ by do you keep so close to the li his? If we are followed, perhaps, if we soug t more darkened or shaded spo s, we might evade those who are, you think, coming behind us.” “ I am not so sure that we are followed. Miss Diering; but if we are, then I have a special ob- ject in keeping near the lights.” “ What object!” “I want the trackers—supposing that there are any—lo have the fullest opportunity to keep near us. I don’t wish them to lose us.’ “ You are inviting danger upon both yourself and me.” “Oh, no. I have no fear of that. I think I canntake pretty good care of myself and you too. The detective had no mere fancy, as he as- serted; he- knew itively, ere they had gone twenty tb two stealthy forms were in their rear ac lly dogging himself and Julia. Instantly he had resolved upon a course of procedure regarding them, and lest his little dirertisement might ocx-ur prematurely for the story he anticipated hearing from his com- panion, he urged: “Think no more of the supposition that we are followed, Miss Diering, but proceed with what you have decided to confide to me.” - ” I have told you thatl am a wronged wo- man,” she said, at once. “ I shall tell you why. I am now over twenty years of age. At the age of eighteen I was married. I loved then two men; the one I married was, as unfortu- nately turned out afterward a man whom no g woman could love after knowing his traits thoroughly. These traits I learned all too soon. Indeed, I wish they could have been hidden from me forever. My father was a wealth captain sailing between Baltimore and Brazi , and it was he who decided—as he thought-best at the time—upon the one I should select of my two suitors to marry. “A_ war after my marrisse Heaven blessed me Wit a little hey baby. My husband, at the time of the child’s birth. was in NewOrleans, indulging—as I knew was his constant habit— in the heaviest kind of gambling. He had often ill-treated and deserted me.for months at a time, and my father returning from a voyage a few days after the birth of my boy and find- ing me in an almost friendless condition—for I had no other relatives livin than my father- grew so furious that he emanded of me to apply for an immediate divorce. My husband had exhausted all the funds left for my mainte- nance by my father during my father’s absence; I was literally nniless. I was angry m elf then, and readi y consented to the proceeding. The divorce was obtained; I was free as far as the law could make me so. “But, alas, I was not to so easily et rid of the man whom I had now come to espise. never saw him until after my father’s death. When my father died he left me a strange leg- acy. He had, while abroad, invested all his cash wealth—and it was considerable—in dis- monds. On his death-bed he placed in my hands a velvet belt with little pockets, in which were carefully stowed numerous diamonds, beauti- fully cut and ready for the mounting. These, he said, I was to keep for my child, to be iven him when he arrived at manhood, and was not to use them as long as I could possibly sup port myself otherwise. He left mea little ready money, and I expected to make my way in the world in some way while preserving the heri- tage intact for m child. “ It was then t at my husband—or the man who had been my husband—presented himself, in a tower of passion almost murderouslover the fact of my having procured the divorce. I con- fess, I stood in fear of him. I gave him, under terrible threats what little ready money I had, and for atime was relieved of his hateful pres. ence. But in some manner that will always remain a mystery to me, he learned of the wonderfully rich legacy my father had left the infant and came to me again, demanding a share in it. This I refused flatlv togrant. I was then living in Washington. Several times he came with the same demand, each time growin more violent; finally he threatened‘ that if did not accede to his wishes, he would make away with the child and so conceal or kill it that I might give up all hope of ever seeing it again. You may ask why I did not have him taken in hand by the authorities at once? Ah, you do not know the man. He has confederates ready at this minute—who they are I have not the sli htest idea—who will, immediately upon my ta ing such a course, deliberately murder my child! Such was the man whom I had chosen for a husband,” she added, with a sigh of bitterness. “Proceed, lease,” urged Magic, who had glanced slyly over his shoulder and ascertained thatthe skulking figures had drawu somewhat closer. ~' “ With me at this time was a faithful nurse, who had been em loyed to nurse me in my own babyhood, and w 0 was Very much attached to my child. Filled with terror at the threats of the man, I resolved upon flight. One night at midnight, I sent the nurse, with my child, to Chicago, with instructions that she must never communicate with me excepting when I should write telling her where she might safely direct hex-[letters and for what length of time to inform me regarding the health of little Willie. The wretch whom I so greatly feared did not learn of this departure: and a night later I also ild from the city, giiing south to Richmond. But he found me. 0 also learned there that I was not accom ied by my child and that my child was no anger at my former residence in Washington. He renewed his awful threats— now directed against me personally if I did not reveal to him the whereabouts of the child. I, lied again, and have been fleeing—with him in pursuit—being always careful, as far as I could, to keep where I could summon instant help in case he attempted personal injury to me. ' know that his plan now is to abduct me if he can, and by some torture wring from my ii is the knowledge of the whereabouts of Willie; then he will secure the child, and he knows that sooner than See harm come to my oflspring, I - would reveal anything he might desire. l “ I think I have placed the child safely away from him; my ob'ect now is to keep as self out of his villainous c niches. As long as can do hat, I can baffle him. At times—one occasiOn. of which you were witness to—I have become sodesperate thatIthought to end the matter ' by committin suicide. You now know all. It would be assess to have him arrested: that , ' ' would onl increase my danger, for I tell you he has con ederates who are sworn to kill me if he is taken into custody. So if ou had intend- ed an thing like that toward ai in me in my wretc edness, I beg of you to a ndou the thou ht. Since I have seen and convex-sad with you have decided that I would be w my child too deeply by sacrificing my own ' e. I will live, if I can, toavmd this man, lf. 1—, ' ble, and maybe some day Heaven itself will find '. a gleam for befriending me.” ' , he . M; c was silent for some moments. 1 He ad been’ started out one blind mil to “ make ” a case. , He was then thinking that he had found a strange case and one which, at first glance, did not seem to offer him any solution as to how it could be arranged so as to benefit this beautiful and suffering woman. . “What was your husband‘s name!" he ques- tiomgie. H n “ .rr a r. “ I might hi3: surmised that.” “ You can see that It would do no good to have him o” O x , " Perhaps not,”_ admitted the detective. who was busy with his thoughts upon the strange story. Then he said: “ I think you are safe for a time at least with the lady on Sixth street where you are employ- 4 ed. I will think this matter over, and it may be that 1 can strike u u some plan to help you out of your remarkab e dilemma." “ One thing I must tell you.” “ What is that?” “I have no money to pay you for your ser- vices, and I know that detectives expect to b i l u.- .“w sip. h I , traces of her bed. and as I 8 Mark Magic De rewarded for time and labor. I am, as you have Seen, strug ling for my own niaintw nance and a margin to send to the nurse and Willie. I have nothing." “ l shall not ask for money,” declared Magic. "I have reall very little business on hand in Baltimore, am at least until summoned by on y chief, I can devote myself to you, and it will ‘ tend to keep my hand in. A detective may grow rusty from idleness; and so, I take hold of your case freely." “ I thank you from the bottom of my heart!" the girl exclaimed. Hardly had the words left her lips, when the wary detective cried with sharp quickness: “ Look out !‘«' He dropped her arm; she turned just in time to seeher com nion engaged in a scuffle with two assaillng gures. Only for an instant did the struggle last. Magic‘s right arm, in the hand of which was a black-jack, performed several sweeping cir- cles, and the next instant two motionless orms lay on the ,gravei walk almost at her feet. “Come, he said, hurriedly, and taking her arm in his own again. “Let me place you in a car. Do not again go out from our home, by day or by night, until you hear rom me or un- der instructions from me.” They hastened from the square, leaving the two men 1 ng there just outside the pale flicker of the as amp by the grassy plot. Magfc placed her in a south-bound car and watched alternately the car and the gravel walk behind him, to see whether his recent us- saiiants had recovered and were following her. Then walking back over the brief battle- ground, he discovered that the roguish pair had recon-rm and fled in another direction. CHAPTER VIII. a MYSTERY or DIAMONDS. Barons: returning to the house of Mrs. Duffy, Julia went to a letter-box at the corner—on y a few ideps from the doorway—and dropped a letter. She had been given a key, and with this she admitted herself without disturbing Mrs. Duffy, proceeding to her allotted room on the first floor at the back of the building. During her absence something singular had transpired at the house. ’ Mrs. Duffy was sitting in the tip-stairs sitting- 'room, when her housemaid came to the door, her face wearing a peculiar and slightly star- tled expression. “What is it, Mary?” inquired the lady, per- Ceiving that the girl had something to say. “Oh, ma’am. ain’t you afraid of burglars?” -“ Burglars, Mary !" in surprise, and glancing up quick y, as if the question and the appear auce of the girl’s face had excited a thought of the immediate proximity of burglars. “ Yes. ma’am. .Ain’t you afraid of burglars with so much wealth hidden in the house!” “I dun’t know what you are talking about, Mary. I haven‘t any wealth hidden in my house.” “ But I means the diamon’s, ma’am." “ Diamonds! Mary, are you goln out of your senses! I haVen’t any diamon s—never have worn any for this many a year. What in the world are you talkin about, I say i" “Why, ‘ma'am, the d amon’s brought here by the new lady clerk that’s goin’ to board with 1 cu.” " Diamonds l—brought here by my new clerk, Mary!" and Mrs. Duffy stared at the girl with wide eyes. . Then she arose and approached. the girl, de- manding: ~ " I w sh you to tell me what all this means at once?” “ Why, ma’am, don’t you know it? I thought on must know it. She s a awfu’ rich lady, she I tell you, an’_I thought of course you knew about the diamon’s. She carries ’em about so careless like. I thought at first they couldn’t be ' real diamon’s. But I’m sure now they are, because the ’ll‘ cut glass; I tried one of ’em." Mrs. Du y was a thoroughly astounded wo- " She gaasd hard into the face of her domestic, as if to see whether she was not insane. Then she said, with forced calmness: , “Mary, to]! me exact! what you mean by this strange talk. No, I 0 not know about my new clerk having any diamonds. I believed her to be a very poor and lovely girl in search of work, which I gave her, when she answered my advertisement in a Baltimore paper. Tell me. Ma , if on have discovered anything.” " We! , ma am, smce you don’t know it, you Ought to. She’s got a little sachel, you know?" “Yes,” im tiently. ' "‘ She put t is each»! under between the mat- was fixing up the bed, it being her first night here,l found the nacho]. Some way ’r ’nnther the clasps Was open, an’ I saw a pretty little belt like in it; it was made so unusual that I took it out and ex- ' will“ n.” d r l sed ‘ very wrong an pry u roc in , v.” reprova'd Mrs. Duff p g i y. . V L n yes, "mum, 1 know that, but [really could- fifi’ n’t help it, an’ you know I didn't mean no harm, cause you’ve ha me now these two years an’ i ve done my best to prove that I’m a good irl—" “ es, Mary. I have no fault to find with you in the post. Go on with what you have to say, lease." “ Well, ma‘am, I took out the belt, and it was so heavy with something that was in a lot of tiny little pockets, that for the life of me I couldn’t'help looking to see what was in the pockets—though I say I didn't mean no harm, ma’am—” “ Go on, Mary." “ The pockets was full of little bright, shin- ing, transparent stones. At first I thou ht they was diamon‘s, then I thought the ' cou dn’t be —so many of ’em-—-and then I trie one on the window-pane, an’ it out just like the diamon’s in the drug-store. Yes, ma’um: there‘s lots of ’em—all diamon’s that belongs to this new lady that’s come into the house." Mrs. Duffy was very grave. Sue felt that if the irl’s tale was true, she must have been deceived by her new clerk. No young girl so poor as to seek employment in a millinery store could be honestly possessed of a wealth of diamonds. So argued Mrs. Du! y in her own mind. “I wish you to show me the sacliel," she said, after a moment’s reflection and upon a sudden decision. . The domestic led the way to the bedchamber that was to be occu ied by Julia Diering. Everything had .n nicely arranged by Mary for the advent of the new clerk, and the sachel had been carefully replaced exactly as found by the honest girl. Raising the upper mattress, Mary now drew forth the mysterious snchel, handing it to her employer, on ing: ‘ There it s, ma’am: look for yourself." Mrs. Duffy slowly opened the receptacle and took out a small leather belt that was contained therein. She extracted one of the glistening stones from its pocket and examined it critically be- neath the gas-jet. There could be no doubt about the genuine- nsss of the stone; the was familiar with both the pure and the imitation; she saw that her supposed poor clerk was strangely possessed of a small fortune in the precious gems thus car- ried about in careless openness, and began to ~ count-one, two, three— I’uusing before she had counted all, returning them to their pockets and closing the sachel, handing it to Mary. “ Replace it exactl as you found it,” she said quietly. “I wil have a talk with Miss Dieting about this mystery. I have a right to some explanation, I think." “That Eyou have, ma’nm, when people go about wit diamon’s an’ makes believe they‘re poor as a turkey.” it was within a few seconds after this mysti- fying occurrence that the door—bell rung, and I . Duffy, having sent Mary around the cor- ner for some groceries, descended herself to an- awor the summons. On the steps stood a young and handsome gentleman. “ Does Miss Diering reside here i” he inquired. “ She d0es.” “Can I see her, if you please 3” . “ She has just gone out, sir.” “Gme out! What a pity: My name is Harold Hammond. Miss Diering is expecting me from Washin ton.” “I do not thin she has gone far. Will you in’side, and p'd‘hflpl she will return pres- “ hank you.” Mrs. Duffy ushered the visitor into her cosey little parlor and turned on the gas, saying; "Please beneated. I understood Miss Dier- ing to an that she was expecting some one to call—per spa you are the gentleman i” , “ It is quite likely, madam. I will wait a short while for her, as I desire to see her very much.” The‘ young man settled himself with a book which e took from the center-table, as if he had determined to wait for the comin of Julia, no matter how long that wait mi ht ' When Julia did return, so lightly di she en- ter, that he did not hear the o .ning or closing of the front door: neither did rs. Duffy. But it happened that Mrs. Duffy just about that moment thought it was time for her new clerk to beJnfting in an appearance, and had de- scend the rear stairs, advancing to the bed- chamber on the first floor. . To her surprise she saw a brilliant light burn- in there. . ore. the door was slightly ajar, and, thouvh she did not intend an thing like playing t c spy, she was arrested y seeing the beautiful girl on her knees, with handsclaeped and IOVely arms extended upward, as if in an imploring attitude to Heaven, while she murmured: “ I cannot help it! I must flee. flee ever, and lie, and live on my haunted. miserable life to its end for the sake of my child! Oh. God, pity the and find some way for me out of this laby- rinth l” tective. brought standing to their feet by Now more than ever was a mystery forming around Mrs. Duffy’s new and beautiful clerk. And Mrs. Duffy, despite her kindly heart, had no liking for mysteries, being a plain. open-v hearted woman herself. Probably she would have had an interview with Julia. at that moment, had it not been for {he fact that a waiting visitor was in the par- or. She tapped lightly on the door. In. a startled way Julia gained her feet and responded: “ Who is it? Come in.” “ Only me my dear,” said Mrs. Dufl'y, calm- ly, as she eniered. “ I was a little startled, madam. I almost lost myself to-night. notwithstanding your fair warning, and believe I am quite nervous lll consequence." “ You entered so very quietly, my dear, that it was only by accident I knew you Were here. There is a gentleman m the parlor who has been waiting to see you for some time. The hour is rather late, now,” she said, as if to hint that a gentleman visitor should not be detained long at that hour. “To see me? Ah, it must be Mr. Hammond —no one else could call, for to him alone I sent my expected address here.” “Yes, he said that was his name,” refilled Mrs. Duffy, departing as Julia came fort on her way to the parlor. Then good Mrs. Duffy did something she had never done before in all her life of many years. then she saw Julia enter the parlor and pull the door partly to, she turned and tip-toed for— ward to a position whence she could overhear in a measure what transpired within the room. As she had expected, there was an immediate lovers’ greeting exchanged between the two. The conversation at once turned into simple, lover-like aflairs, and as the listener did not enjoy such talk to any great extent, she with drew. An hour later—being the hour when she usu— ' all y retired—Mrs. Duffy descended to see wheth- er the visitor had taken his departure. The gas jet, lowered, still burned in the parlor, but neither Julia nor the young man were there. “ He has gone,” she thought, putting out the as. To satisfy herself further, however, she tap— ped lightly on the door of Julia’s room. There was no response. “Gone to bed, I guess," she muttered to her— self. “ i guess she must have been pretty well tired out, after traveling all last night and then working in the shop all day. In the morning, though, before she resumes her work, I’ll have a conversation with her, and she must give me some satisfactory account of how she became possessed of so many precious diamonds—she a poor girl. I greatly fear that her beauty is dangerous to herself. But I shall not judge her until I know; and if my suspicions are correctly founded, why, of course she must leave my es- tablishment at once.” With which thoughts she sought her own bed— room, and was soon sleeping the sleep of a con- science at peace and rest with the world in deeds and comforts. By rule, the millinery shop opened early each mornin ; there was no tardiness permissi- ble in any 0 the employees, except in actual cases of sickness. But eight o'clock had come and passed; the girls were busy as bees in the rear working- room, and Mrs. Duffy had been considerab y engaged herself in the store up to that hour. Julia Diering had not yet made her appear-i ance. “Poor thing! She is probabl so tired out that. in her sound slee , she di not hear the breakfast-bell,” was t e employer's liberal thought. And she made no movement in the matter until, after a glance at the great clock on the wall which showed her that it was almost nine o'clock, she suddenly resolved that she would be permitting a bad example for the other girls if she allowed Miss Dlerin to slumber longer. Going to the door of lia's room, she tapped peremptorily. ' No answer. She tapped again, and louder. No response. Then, to her astonishment, she discovered that the door was not fastened. Pushing gently, she stepped across the thresh. old. Only“ one step. There she paused, and with drooping jaw she stood. suddenly grown white as a sheet, the expression of her face one of absolutely ghastly herror. For just one moment her yoica, her strength. gar every faculty of volition seemed to desert er. Then all in the building were startled and the sound of a loud, long, terrified shriek. that pierced their ears with the cutting sharpness of a surgeon’s scalpel and caused their very hearts to flutter into stillness. . K A“; . 55.4“; v .3». flea. 3:; 'mvfi‘.‘ . 5.3%.”), suave-aw“. h’ 3312‘ .tm. my». a. r M11, ~5- :"t (Kt. w an. . I “9,: . 7-- "xflfiziE‘J-p-M sews”, , * ‘- chmi‘xit we» we‘d?“ <: ‘ ‘ _n-. 9 Mark Mfgic, Detective. CHAPTER IX. ran PREY was nor THERE. HARPER and Forceps remained in the small . that adequatel popularized room allotted to them until pretty late in the afternoon—a substantial dinner being brought up to them by Sandy after they had aroused from a sleep of which both were really in need after the wakeful experiences on the boat dur— in the previous night. 0th were in excellent spiritsas they mani u- lated the repast. and eat heartily of all t at was set before them. “ I told you we’d find Sandy a square pal in a corner,” remarked Fdrceps, while washing down his mouthful with a draught of foamy beer. “ I hope nothing will happen to break us up, now that we are so well started,”'said Harper, suddenly with a rave face, as if he scented something like a_ allure ahead, notwithstand— ing the nicety With which all seemed to have been arranged. . “ Bah! who! are you going across a bridge to hunt frolith for?" “ O.i, i am not doing that.” “ Let up on the bad-weather prognostications, then.” Like all—or nearly all—men of his class, Harper was given somewhat to superstition. As they were engaged with their meal, a pre- monition of pending failure came over him. Nothing of the kind disturbed Forceps. He ate heartily, and afterward seemed in better spirits than ever. ' The villain almost began to feel. in his grasp the diamonds that the beautiful girl was known to have secreted somewhere at another point than her own proximity. He had not the slightest doubt of the entire plot as made out bethen them and Sandy. While they were talking of plans for their future after having wrested from their intend- ed victim the wealth of which they were in such persistent pursuit, Sandy entered the rmm. " Sav, hadn’t you fellers better come down an’ ma 6 erselves popular? There’s a lot of the boys own there—the best an’ pick of ’em They’d be glad to know you if you kem with a’ interdooce from me, they would.” Harper and Forceps, with a simultaneous thought, cast alook down at their notably gen- teal 1garments. And Forceps said: “ 0w look here, Sandy, the fact isjust about as I told you. We’re prett well dolwn at the heel; we couldn’t toss the quor much for the new friends you’ve ot down there. And be- sides, this ain’t the t ing, you know,” pointing to the attire of himsel and his companion. “They’d take us for a pair of too dumed gen- teel boys to be among them. Now sup we shape things up on the square. You ve got some loose change. I know. You give us some plainer garments and a little difference in cash; then we ll igo down an’ see the boys. That's fair, ain’t t? We’ll all be flush soon enough, and we don’t mind sacrificin our duds when we’re to meet a distinguis ed crowd, you know.” “ Oh, I ain’t no objections,” returned Sandy, observin that the clothes offered were excel- lent articles. “How much do you fellers want?" “ Pass us a twenty or so.” From an inner pocket, he drew forth the re- quired a cunt and cheerfully handed it over. After f nishing them with suits of inferior clothes. Sandy led the way to the bar—room. As he had told them, a crowd was there. Per- haps a dozen of as hard-looking cases as could be found in the Quaker Cit ware congregated variously at the tables an the counter, where some were guzzling their beer in a thirsty man- .ner. In a quiet way, Sandy introduced his new friends and guests though giving them ficti- tious names, according to a request made by Forceps as they descended the stairs. “ This here’s Hotel Harry,” he said, indicating ayouthful and rather handsome man—though attired in a rather ragged manner. " An’ this here’s Boardin’-bouse Sal,” as a woman with a vitiated countenance pressed her way forward, when she found that new-comers were to be in- troduced. All were soon on terms of intimac with the new arrivees, and these two soon he a history of each " crook,” volunteered by himself. Hotel Harry had once been one of the most successful operators of hotels. with skeleton keys, that had ever been hunted by the detec- tive police. Boarding-house Sal had plied her vocation among fashionable boarding-houses at a time when she was not so marked by debauchery and her vice-tainted companionships; about every “fence ” that could have been tied be- tween Kensington and Southwark new her well and had taken such things as jewelry and fine dress g00ds from her, which she had purloined from the wardrohe of the guests : at the houses into which she insinuated herself. And so on to the end of the chapter, until the acquaintance was ripened between the crooks of the gang and the new-comers by u. in- terchange of such confldenoes. All seemed proud of their record, and For- ceps recounted of himself suclii accomplishments im. Harper con (1 furnish no history save that of being a (professional gambler; but he was re- ceiVed cor ially nevertheless, upon Forceps’s as- surance that he intended to don job ere long that would throw many a job in the past completely into the shade. Beer and whisky flowed copiously. Sandy found an opportunity to whisper into Forceps’s ear: “ Look out, you two. Remember what you’ve got on hand fer to—night, an’ don’t be too free with the stuff, or you‘ll both have too big a head on you for to do it right, mind.” “ Oh, that’s all right. I’m looking out for all that,” Forceps replied, with a knowing nod that indicated the spittoon at his feet. It was a monstrous large spittoon, and Sandy saw that much of the beer Force ' and his com- panion had been supposed to rink had been slyly deposited there until the thing was almost brimming full. The hours of the afternoon slipped by with this sort of coarse conviviality, when suddenly Harper leaned forward across the table at which they were sitting and said, in a low voice: “ What if the girl should scoot out again while we’re wastin our time over this gang?” “I never thong t of it,” re lied Forceps, gravely. “ But it’s a good hint, errv. Come, we’ll at out of this and do a little spying aroun .” . They invented an excuse to leave the place and turned in the direction of Mrs. Duffy’s milliner store. . With he arrival of that hour in the evening the store had been promptly closed, as was cus- tomary with the proprietress. As they came near, their presence partly screened rom the observation of any one who might have been standing the steps to the side door, because of the dense shadows there, they saw a female in black garments issue from the entrance and move rapidly 01! along the street. “Just what I expected,” observed Harper, in an accent somewhat very much like a hiss. “By thunder!” burst from Forceps, in a low breath. “ It looks as if you were about right. But I wonder if she really is going to light out?” “That is for us to see. _me.” Stealthin they followed her. The girl, Julia Diering, had not the remotest idea that she was being shadowed by her ene- mies, though she even cast behind her a search- ing glance before reaching the car which she had been directed to take by Magic. The two knew their busmess well in this re- rd. And at the moment when the girl was being taken in the car to the place 0 appointment with the detective, these two villains had suc~ coeded in gaining the front latform of the car. They were not far behind w on the meeting ocv curred at the square, and Harper uttered some- thing like an oath, as he said: “That man she is with is the same man we have been having the trouble with ever since we left Baltimore.” “ Don't look like him—” “ His hight gives him away to me, thou h be is wearing another disguise now. Curse im! Forceps, we must get him out of the way, or he’l spoil our game yet. I told you I was feelin dubious about the success of our lan; now feel it all the more. The man is a etec- tive, and lie is her friend. that’s plain to be seen— Look out there! Get behind this tree, quick i” As the detective and the girl moved away to- ward the square, the latter glanced behind her, but not in time to detect the trailing figures, so prom t had been Harper’s warning. ' ‘- “ es. we must et him out "of the Way,” agreed Forceps. “ ut hOWi he's no fool— “This Was i gton Square isa pretty lonely - place,”i=aid Harper, suggestiVely, as they re- mained for a moment longer behind one of the great trees that stretched in an aisle along the curb to the far side of the square. ' “ I tumble.” rejoined Forceps. “ We might lay him out and nobod know anything more about it when he is foun in the morning, than that a man was found dead on the wal .” “ But the girl would know us.” “Tie your handkerchief around your face be- low the e es.” Both d d this: and as both had dark silk hand- kerchiefs, the fact that their faces were shroud- ed at all would only have been noticed at ex- tremely close quarters. “Come” said Harper, leadin ofl toward an- other pat , while he kept his awkish eyes on the leisurely-walkin con la. \ It was as they a cd orward, coming closer to the two at a slight angle of the path that Msgic’s alert eyes discovered their suspicious presence. ‘ He immediately began the tactics as shown, which the rogues did not detect tobe aplain endeavor to bring them to the point of an en: counter. < I «.6 \ The evil pair had now verged so close to their intended prey that to have continued their stealthy manner of procedure would have been to reveal that they meant mischief. At a signal from Harper, both stepped boldly and carelessly out upon the main path close to where Magic and Julia Diering Were passmg at the moment. Two rufiian hands strongly griped two mur- derous weapons of silence, the eadly black— 'acks. J A few steps, and then another signal from Harper, who had taken upon himself a leader- ship in their assassin programme. _ Simultaneously they sprung toward the P8". The black—jacks were upraised to strike down the seeming] y unconscious detective. , But Magic was fully prepared, as shown, for their reception. As they came upon him, he wheeled and struck out with his right hand, in which he had a black- 'ack, while with his other hand he caught t e upraised arm of Harper as in n vise. The stroke he had delivered had sent Forceps reeling headlong to the gravel walk: in the next instant, and before the astonished Harper (-(iuld realize fully how completely the detective had turned the tables, becoming himself the attack- ing arty, the second villain received a blow on the cad which fairly seemed to crack his skull. At least, a thousand stars burst across his vision; his head was filled with a ringing as if of a myriad bells in discord, and he too went after his companion to the gravel earth. When Harper, who was first to recover, scrambled dazedly to his feet, he glanced about as if expecting to have a renewal of the dim- cufiy with the spry and alert detective. agic and the girl had disappeared beyond the gate toward the cars. , He stooped and shook Forceps, crying: “ Here, get up! Are you hit hardil last me if I didn’t think for just about a second that my head was split Open! The man's a small dev'il with his arms and fists!” Forceps groaned a little, as he slowly re— turned to consciousness, and his first words were: i “ \Vhere is the infernal cuss, Berry!” “ Gone!” , The reply seemed rather to relieve his mind. “ I‘m glad enough of it," he said, rubbing his head with a grimace of pain. “Did you get some of that busine?" “ I have just told on that I thought I was laid out for good a all. He laid it onto me after downed you." ' * “ hat sort of man can he be?” " Half lightning-and eyes in the back head, I take it.” They hurried from the square by the Seventh street gate. As they went keeping within the sheltering gIOJm of the ais e of trees, Force said: “ The girl’s all right anyhow, think.” “ How do you mean ’ “ She wasn’t intending to try and give us an~ other slip.” ‘ “What makes you think that?” “Why she just came out to hold an inter- view with this detective friend of hers—" “ A thousand curses on the detective!” inter- polated Harper. . “ And new that they‘ve had their talk, she‘s gone back to the house, to bed, no doubt.” “ We’ll soon know whether your idea is right or not. Come on, let’s’get to Sandy’s.” When the arrivedzagain at the low den of their saloon- on r friend the found the place very different rom what it ad been during the greater part of the day. . ' The bar-room was literallv crowded with a mixed mass of whites and blacks, who drank and swore and gabbled until the smoky and sickening air was filled with sounds and smells that caused even our duo of rascals to wish themselves soon out of it. ' ‘ Forceps beckoned Sand aside a a moment when there wasa brief In I in th business at the counter. “Got everthing read y?” he asked. .. “ You betI have. The things is in the upstairs room. And say, you’d better not make too free With these fellers now; nearly every man of ’em is on a big 5 ree, an’ if you didn’t join in the drinkin’-—w ich you mul'n’t via—the ’d mebbe kick 11 a row. I'm agoiu’ to close e lace at twe ve, whether tbcv like it or not. hen I’ll be up an’ 'oin you an’ start on off!” They followed he advice of gndy and sou ht tge ere, y e o a sputterin candle and aging}: ofdirty cards and a bottfe of whisky w his / h they were warned not to use too freely, ' they wasted away the time until the hour should arrive ‘ when they would make their gratuid effort for the abduction of the girl, Julia ie ng. Promptly, as he had asserted he Sandy shut up the bar-room, ejecti who” who were tlincllined to make an- o F N- .t e unusual proceed!" or the placehadnot been closed before :30 or three o’clock in the morning since theiirst day Sandy bad business there. ‘ He sought his friends in the upper room. , 'i l gm“ ;. . -1wA . w. .- them. ' d 10- Mark Magic, Detective.— “ Are you two perfectly straight, now!” he interrogated, looking searchingly from one to the other. He was an old hand at wickedness; be well knew that such an undertaking as the one in which these two were about to engage required the clearest of clear heads. “ Oh, we’re all right, depend,” answered For- ceps. “And now, old man, where are the thin s for the racket?” “ ere they are," and he led the way too. cup- board at one side. Forceps, who took the lead in this proceeding throughout, appropriated the articles which Sandy had procured. A few minutes later and the saloon-keeper, in a stealthy way and in a blackness of night that was almost impenetrable, let his pals out at the rear gate. As Forceps had rightly conjectured, the alley- way at the side of Sandy’s establishment led di- rectly to the rear gate to the dwelling occu- pied as a millinery store by Mrs. Duffy. Harper and Forceps, with a whispered warn- ing to their assistant to remain there on the lookout for them, moved noiselessly oi! in the darkness. Forccps had no difficulty in locating the right to 88 - To their surprise, they found this unbolted. And a greater surprise awaited them when they made their way forward to the window opening on the side yard. This also was unfastened. “Mighty accommodating and careless peo- ple," remarked Forceps, lowly, as he lighted a bull's eye and for an instant flashed it around “ FM careful. Berry. the-row a {mini of earth under the-window. Don‘t tread in it, for it will leave a footprint.” With the lantern closed, and using one hand, _ Forceps ‘gave his partner a push that lifted him to the si Harper. then assisted the other to ascend. .. As he entered, Forceps drew shut the blindsi so that their outlines could not be detecte ainst any background of possible light that m ght Occur from one of the buildings at the foot of the lot. “ Turn on the slide,” came in a subdued tone. A brilliantand momentary ray flashed around the room which they had thus so easily entered. ‘Brief, but the brilliance was enough to reveal to them a strange sight. There in the darkness which followed the re- closing of the slide, each stood as if electrified into a statue, and in their faces was a scared look that 001 the impenetrable blackness of thgirBesurroun lug concealed. r “A . Did you see it?” " I did. And what’s more, I’ve had enough.” “ How enough?” “ I’m for getting out of here—” With a sudden boldness, Forceps turned on \ filight again and flashed it around on every 9. . The apartment was un/tenanted. And they looked upon a startling sight. Exactly what it was that was resented to their astounded we reserve or the next chapter. But it was enough to startle even this bur larious duo. “ ybe it isn’t her room, though,” said For- caps. in .a suggestive tone. “I don’t'care shucks if it isn’t. If we are caught, maybe we’ll have this murder to an- swer for too; and there’s no telling whether wecould positively get her out of the house without some noise. I say I’m for getting out of this.” “All ri h "assented Force , as the bull’s- sye shew h a face to bess w teasthat of his companion. The retreated from the apartment, over the si 1, along the narrow side yard, out into i the adjacent alley and hurried to the open gate ‘-Im0Il “Q of Sandy’s abode. "Where’s the gall” Sandy immediately de- manded, ohaervin the large sack hung without an thing in it on orceps’s arm. ‘Never mind about the gal Just now. Let‘s ,tupatairsssfsstaswecan. In the room, Forceps made the astonishing ncement: “It’se miss, Sandy. No gal this time. She Isn’t there. ’.’ ' ‘ But they did not recount to .him the terrible sight that had confronted them by the light of fine bull’s-eye. “Tell you all about it to-morrow, old man. We are prettly badly frightened just now.” 5 “ Wel , so on: ” and Sandy shuffled from the room inn puzzled condition of mind, while the two piotmrs satdOWn, facing one another across the table in silence, as if listening for something apprehensive to occur. CHAPTER X. A BEDROOM TRAGEDY. Insmxnv following the alarming outcry at the conclusion of Chapter VIII., t ere was a. r of running—unsteadily running—foot- V 4 ate iuthe hallway. ate the working-room burst Mrs. Duffy, hei' face white as a sheet, and her mouth vainly trying to articulate. Something terrible must have happened, was the thought in the minds of the girls, who stared at her, themselves partaking of the fright depicted in their employer’s features, though at a loss to imagine what could havo caused it. One. who seemed to have more control of her- self, asked, falteringly, as she bent and gazed as if fascinated into Mrs. Duffy’s dilated eyes: “What—what is it, madam—tells us? What has happened?” The inquiry seemed to loosen the spell of hor- ror that held the pale-faced woman’s tongue. She gasped forth a single word: “ Murder!” ' Then she staggered back to a chair, clinging to its back for support as she showed signs of a coming swoon. ' “Murder!” echoed the rest, now overcome with a sympathetic but indefinite horror. hen: “Oh, madam, tell Us what it is?" exclaimed several, springing forward to support the sink- ing form. ‘Murderi The new clerk! awful murder in my house. shall I do?” Now that they knew what it was that so ter- rified Mrs. Duffy, and perhaps prompted by an ungovernable curiosity, several immediately started on a run for the room they knew had been assigned to the new and beautiful clerk. At the door, as they crowded forward, they aused, as had Mrs. ufl’y, and 'gazed in un- imited horror upon a scene that surely indi- Cnfed a recent am bloody murder. The bed was almost dragged to pieces, the coverings 1 ing scattered about the floor, as if there had been a Severe struggle for life with the assassin. On some of these there were red stains, no dioubt from the warm veins of the lovely vic- t m. And one of the girls, as she glanced toward the disused fireplace, exclaimed: “ Look: Oh, look there!" Before the tasteful] decorated fireboard was a short piece of w , reddened as.«if by more blood, and on the end of which all saw c inging a small tuft of hair, matted into the still wet stain. , Orer the ca t, too, were stains that all real- ized must be b ood—the blood of Julia Diering, the new clerk. “Call a policeman!” cried one. “Oh, I must run away from this! I can’t work any more today!” broke from another, who, sickened by the su gestive sight, felt her head swimming in a sud en faintness. Two of the more nervy in the bevy started briskly to summon a pohcoman; but the rest. overcome by the tragic occurrence, arasped their hats from their pegs and started off home- ward to carry the remarkable announcement of a murder that had been committed at Mrs. Duffy’s house. Mrs. Duffy, by that time somewhat recovered. though still very white and trembling, herself made fast the store door and windows, return- ing after the task to the scene of the tragedy just as several policemen, headed by the ser- geant, came in by the hall entrance, accompa- nied by the frightened girls who had apprised th m of the occurrence. , r . here was scarcely any doubtin the evidence contained in that room as to the act of a most mysterious murder having been committed— highly mysterious, because the victim was not to be found either in the mom or on the prem- ises. Investigation shOWed that the assassin must have effected an entrance by the low window opening on the yard, its sill being very little more t an breast-high from the pavement; and the shutters, found Open when the police ar- rived, had on them a stain or two of red, be- sides arcther stain on the sill, made, robabl , when the bloody miscreant escaped y clim ingout after domg his deed of violence. he yard was examined, and this revealed another stain on one side of the gate-post—the gate being found nnfastened also. But where could the body of the victim be? At the gate all trace was lost. The room was closed, and the premises placed in charge of the police for the present, while the sergeant proceeded to ask Mrs. Duffy some questions. f‘You said, madam, that you had on] re- ceived the young lady supposed to be mur ered intpgoug employ yesterday?" ' es. . “ Had she anything about her that could have induced such a dead as it seems has been com- mitted so mysteriously?" Mrs. Duffy hesitated. “ That the assassin must have been a man, a. very powerful man, is apparent ” the ser- eant continued, “for he has carried oi! the y. His object being I suppose, to socrete it and» even if he should be suspected. he could not be convicted without its production. Why should he have sought to murder the young There’s been an Oh, my, what ladyrcan ou ima no?” " 1 thinka cam?gt - “Indeed?” “My new and beautiful clerk was a youn lady of considerable mystery," she said. “ employed her after she had answered an adver- tisement I had inserted in a Baltimore paper for a young lady having some knowledge of the millinery business, especially its clerical portion. She represented herself as capable of filling the situation and at the same time wrote that she was at the time without funds and anxiously seeking something by which she could support herself. I determined to give her a chance, although she had no recommendations. And when I saw her, and saw how beautiful and how willing she was, I at once liked her. But as I say, there was something very strange about her. She was not as poor as she repre- sented herself to be. I found that she carried with her, in acommon hand-sachel. a wealth in finely—cut diamonds. I am sure they could not have been worth less than eighteen to twenty thousand dollars.” The sergeant whistled lowly. “ I had determined to question her about this strange circumstance of her possession this morning,” Mrs. Duffy added. “ Do you know where she kept the dia- monds?” it Yes.” “ Show me their hidin —place, if you please.” She led the way to t e closed room, before the door of which an officer was stationed. Entering, followed by the sergeant, she ad- vanced to the bed and raised the mattress. “ lt is as I suspected," she said. “ “That did you suspect?” “The motive for the murder. The diamonds are gone. Poor thing! she has lost her life by being possessod of so much mysterious wealth. I am so sorry.” “ The diamonds are gone!" “Yes. They were here. M servant~girl disc0vered them last evening an informed me of the fact. I then came in here and examined them in her presence. hardly crediting her story at first regarding them.” “Your servant-girl, on say?” “Yes,” and Mrs. Du y was struck by a pecu- liar accent to the inquiry, glancing quickly at him and adding: “She canuo possibly know anything aboat the affair, for she is as scary as a shoe . an said to me at the time the informed me 0 their being here that she wondered I was not afraid of bur lars breaking into the house.” “ ere is the girl?" ' “ I will call her. ’ Pausing to send word to head-quarters by one of his subordinates, the sergeant accom- pailiied Mrs. Duffy in her quest for the servant- gir . Mary was singularly not to be found at her accustomed duties, nor was she in any portion of the lower building. \ “I will look in her room, though she would hardly be there at this time of day. And I am alittle surprised that this occurrence ' not brought her forward with the othe to see what has happened. Here is her room,” as she aused and urned the knob of a door on the bird floor. In a far corner of the room, crouching close and low, they discovered Mary. \ The girl had torn loose the knot of her hair and had it pulled down over her face as if to hide out some terrifying sight. As they came in, she drew aside the hair, looking at them in a white, hunted wa 1711“ was astonishin to Mrs. Duffy, but wh oh if}- stantly struck t e officer with a peculiar sigm- flcance. . 1n the next moment the girl had sprung to her feet, or in , as she ran toward them: “You (I dn come after me, did you? I didn’t do it—-—no, no no, I didn’t do it! Oh, my heart! it’s so awfull And it’s all on account of her diamon’s. Oh, my heart!” “Do you know anything about it, my girl?” demanded the omcer, somewhat sternly. “No—no! Oh, Idon’t want to know. I want to fly away somewhere where I can forget this house forever 1” The sergeant tapped her authoritatively on the shoulder. “ Look up here. Answer me.” And when he held her under his keen eyes, he questioned: ‘ “Are you sure—quite sure, mind—that you know nothing of the crimh that you are afraid to tell?” Something in his tone, in his steady glance, seemed to strike an additional terror into her soul for she cried: "i didn’t do it! You think i did it! Oh, my heart! I didn’t—I didn’t—l didn’t! Let me go away from here—” “ Nothing of the kind. You will remain.” Saying which, he beckoned Mrs. Duffy from the room, while the girl stood staring wildly at them, seeminglly rIVeted to the floor. But as the oor closed after them, Mary ran forward and violently grasped the knob. Then a cry burst from her that was an ago- nizing wail. . She was locked in! “ My heart l” she moaned, swaying to and fro “r 1... . _, fl. my I LA». ; “.1? .. . :~« ~¢v-,~ 5.. .IEFD'.‘ fl. (an-:5». : . .. ,0..-’_ . '“Vfrhfihfik’ . oats ~ Jesse w”, .,~..,V q... fin”..- . _-_ ~..,... I s3 .z. g amwmv ~ macaw v thaws. .. d ‘}_ « assets-s. guy. a”. r. a.~.,. » . \A»\. it» “.m‘camu .- .. - —,. Huts-s mm. haw ; r. 1.x . \ A, was fun «315.5, 13‘ 4.... ..-.. I‘v'} ... 7mm“ am A. f and wringing her hands. “I believe thfi' think I am a murderess. I didn’t do it! Oh, eaven, I didn’t do it!” Outside the door, the sergeant said to Mrs. Duff : “ liIadam, have you any knowledge that any one could have known of these valuable dia~ monds being in the possession of the youn lady, besides yourself and the girl you cal ar ’3’ “ 'I‘o the contrary, I am almost sure that no one else could know—at least, in this city,” she added; “ for Miss Diering informed me that no one knew of her address here excepting a. young man, who was her aflianced husband, and perhaps an old nurse who had nursed her in her infancy.” “ A young man, eh?” “ Yes—and he was here only last night,” she said, suddenly. ‘L All!” “He came while she was out, and waited iin~ til nearly ten o‘clock for her. I went lip-stairs, leaving them together. At a little after eleven I came d0wn, and found that he had gone and she had retired to her room.” . “Can you give me some description of this young man i” Mrs. Duffy had not taken a ver close survey of Julia Diering‘s visitor, but she .ad seen suffi- cient of his face to give the sergeant a tolerably accurate description, which he very formally jotted down in his note-book. He was an aspirant to appointment on the detective-police force of Philadelphia, and had done some pretty clever work in that line al- ready, as his superiors had recognized. In thisinstance, he was proceeding as if it was a foregone conclusion that he would be in- timately mixed u in the search for the mys— terious assassin, if not actually appointed to ‘ work out the whole trail. Already he had formed two suspicions—var slight ones, to be sure: that perhaps the gir , Mary, or the young lover, might be concerned in some way with the crime. At any rate, he had determined to detain the girl in custody, and to search for the lover. , In this latter he was not to have a very excit- ing chase. As he and Mrs. Duffy came down the front stairs, the front door was opened by a police- man in answer to a summons at the bell, and a strénger entered. : The moment Mrs. Duffy’s eyes rested on him, she said to the sergeant in an undertone: “ There he is now.” There was some surprise on the visitor’s face at observing the policemen in the hallway, but he addressed Mrs. Duffy politely, saying: “ I have taken the liberty to call, madam, at the request of Miss Diering, to see her.” The sergeant advanced and laid a hand on his shoulder. CHAPTER XI. A PUZZLED DETECTIVE. HAROLD Hannoxn did not flinch as the heavy hand of the officer of the law fell upon him. He straightened up and cast a haught , de- fiant look u n the sergeant, as he deman ed: “What 0 on mean by that, sir?” “Perhaps t e action ought to speak for itself, young man. I am an officer, and I think it my duty to arrest you." “Arrest me? For what?” in unassumed as- tonishment. “I can make no direct charge. But I deem it my duty to detain you at least until you can be questioned and can give a satisfactory ac— count of yourself during the time between the hours of ten o‘cIOCk last night and this mo- ment.” “ I would like to know what this means?” and he lanced from the omcers around him into the ace of Mrs. Duffy. “We are investigating the probable murder of Miss Julia Diering. And since you were one who was with her up to a rather late hour last night—and probably knew of the diamonds she had iii keeping either for herself or some one else—- Hammond broke in with an accent that could not be doubted for genuine pain and astonish- eat. “What is that you say? The murder of Julia Diering? Oh, you are joking. Who would do such a thing? Why, I was with her last night until nearly eleven o’clock, having just arrived in the city from Washington, where, at my residence, 1 received a dispatch from her, dated Baltimore, telling me where to find her.” “I am not trying you for murder, young man. I only say that I have good cause to take you into custody during an investigation—as I shall most assuredly do with all those who had any knowledge that the lady possessed an enormous value of diamonds.” At this, Mrs. Dufly felt herself grow sud— denly weak. . The remark implied that she, too, would be held for a hearing in connection with the mys- terious aflair. “ You will do well not to resist arrest,” sug- gested the sergeant, warningly. “ Oh, I assure you I shall not resist. I have nothin to fear. I can easily account for my time a ter leaving Miss Diering.” But though he spoke confidently, he realized that the girl must indeed have been murdered, else these oflicers would not be taking such rigorous steps, and aside from a sudden agony which entered his soul and made his face look worn at such astounding intelligence, be com- prehended that perhaps he might ham to prove more than the occupation of his time after leav- ing the beautiful girl who had been his be- trothed; he might also have to prove that the murder had not been committed while he was actually with her, or that he did leave her in health. One of the policemen was dispatched up- stairs to bring down the girl, Mary. The se ant himself took charge of Ham- Hiond, saying to Mrs. Duffy respectfully but in r l : “ YYou too, madam, will have to go with me and make your statements at head—quarters in regard to what you know of this. I would say to all, however, that in performing this, I am only doing what I think is my duty' 1 have, of course, no charges to make; probably your de— tention will not be for long.” A back was called and the sergeant, accom- panied by his three prisoners, drove off. The millinery establishment of Mrs. Duffy was by this time the object of attractiOn and wonderment for the whole neighborhood and ad acent squares. curious crowd assembled on the paVement, as if expecting to learn of some developments regarding the mysterious murder. At the preliminar examination, after the ser eant had stated 1 the circumstances which he come under his notice, the oung man Hammond was immediately looke upon with considerable suspicion. “ You were an intimate friend of Miss Dier- ing’sf” he was asked. “I was,” Hammond replied, with as much composure as he could command in the presence of such an onieal. , “ Was there anything more than more friend- ship between you ’ ffer a second’s hesitation he replied: “ I have supposed myself honored b being a more than ordinary favored friend of ers.” " In what wayi’ And as there was another and longer hesitan- cy, he was interrogated a ain: “ Were on her accep lover?” “ That s really too delicate a question for me to answer correctly in the absence of the lady. herself.” “ Umph! You say your business is that of a broker in Baltimore?” “Yes.” “ What particularly brought you to Philadel- phiai” “ I came to see the young lad ." “ Did she know of your inten ed visit before- hand?" “ I believe she did.” “ You saw her?" “ I did.” “ State under what circumstances." And the questioner added, before Hammond could make reply: “ You can suit your own option about an- swering my inquiries, as you are not expected to. criminate yourself—” “ I prefer to answer any and all questions you may choose to put to me,” came the quick rejoinder. “ I have nothin toconceal, and I desire a full investigation. hen I called at the house which had been designated as_ the possible stopping-place of the young lady, in a communication from her to me, I id not find her at home. I entered and waited her return. It was late when she came in. We were to- gether for a short time alone in the arlor; it was nearl eleven o’clock when I too my de- parture, think.” “Was your meeting with her entirely cor- dial?" “ Perfectly so." “If you had some roof of this, now-J Mrs. Duffy bustle forward. Her face was verv red. She had taken a careful survev of Hammond, and with that inexplicable and impulsive intui- tion characteristic of women generally, had re- solved in an instant to say something which, while it might embarrass her greatly would be of great benefit to the suspected man. “ I think I can tell something that will help to prove this young man’s assertion,” she said. ’ ‘ Well, madam?’ And as her face grew even redder, she con- tinned. “Miss Diering was a new employee in my es- tablishment. She was an entire stranger on com- ing there. ’She was to abide within my house. Her being out rather late. and the fact of a young man coming to see her before she had been an inmate of my house for twenty-four hours, caus- ed me naturally to be alert for an thing improp- er that might transpire. She he told me, ow- ever. that she was ex ecting a caller and that the entleman would be or betrothed. I must con- ess, in the interest of this young man, that I Mark Magic, Detective. did something on that occasion which I never before did in all my life. I stole forward to the parlor door and listened for a minute or two. I will say—though I did not remain there longer than two minutes—that the nieetin between the two was very tender and lover-1i e: though I will say, to the credit of both, that there was no gushing nonsense.” “ That will do, madam.” There were further questions put to Ham- mond in regard to himself personally, after which the girl, Mary, was called. Mary was in such a state of excitement that it was at first diflicult to get any tangible an- swer from her. She had been thoroughly alarmed by the ration and looks of the rusque sergeant. and through this felt that every one considered her a murderer and robber. Persistent kind assurances at last brought her into something like quietness, and she told the tale of the diamonds as she had discovered them, informed her employer, and led the latter to their hiding-place, where. after an examina- tion of the jewels, they were restored exactly as found. Subsequent to this she sought her bedroom. arising and proceeding about her duties as usual in the morning. not knowing anything at all about the tragedy which had occurred during her slumber until the commotion below brought her forward. Immediately upon hearing what the trouble was, she was seized with an overpowering fear for herself, as she saw, in the knowledge she was known to possess in regard to the diamonds, perhaps a criminating clew that might result in er being arrested for the terrible crime. In a panic of fear, she fled to the upper story, where she was afterward found, and further terrified so greatly that her actions seemed to fasten a proof upon her guilt or complicity. Upon questioning Mrs. Dufly, the girl’s story appeared to be truthful; her actions were at- tributed to a natural disposition to be easily frightened, and especially was she overwhelmed at the traged both having occurred in the same house wi h her and the fact of her knowl- edge of the existence of the diamonds. Mrs. Duffy herself was next closely cate- chised. An estimable woman alwa s, and of high reputation, she had no difiicu ty in both clear- ing herself from any sns iciOn whatever in con- nection with the case: t her testimony ap- peared to be very favorable to the other prisoners. ‘ She was a tolerably wealthy woman, and did not hesitate at the proper moment, after fur- nishing bonds for her appearance, if necessary, to do the Same for the girl Mary. These two withdrew from the station and were driven back to the honee and store on South Sixth street. A coroner had a ‘ red there, meantime. But as there was no y to sit upon, of course there was no work for the coroner. The rumor gained ground, at this, that the cunning assassin had in some way contrived to make off with the body, thus sheltering himself to a degree. Two or three of the Sewinfigirls had ventur- ed to return to the store, pro bly overned by curiosity more powerfu than t eir recent alarm, and a chatteringhof female tongues made a buzzing sound throng out the dwelling. CHAPTER XII. ‘ THOUGH Hammond sufficiently convinced the authorities of his res nsibilit personally and pecuniarily, he was etained onger, until dis- patches could be exchanged latween Philadel- phia and Washington to substantiate the fact, and was released on hisown ixa . Meantime, the detective police were vcn the case, with the few facts as elicited at e hear- in . 4 The dailies soon grasped the item, and the evening papers contained an account, hi hty colored, of the murder that had been comm tted at the store of Mrs. Duffy, on South Sixth street. Mark Magic, after a short as and a good din- ner at the Continental, was loo ng over one of the early afternoon papers, when he halfsprung to his feet, as he saw the graph, in boldly- headed type, telling of Ju , ering a supposed murder and disappearance; ick as a 11th he ized, he thought, the viSailinmiis handiwork of rry Harper and his com n on, l Hgmiled ml‘yawhen he saw the announce- ment that t e detective police had been put promptly on the case, that the red-handed mis- cmnt would Soon he run down, and so forth. “They’ll catch him, I imagine, about as much as a snail can catch a railroad train in full motion. I am the lark for this game, ahead of them all 1” Sin niarly, as some people would have thong t, there was no' mention made of the diamond robbery in connection with the tra- gedy, hence Magic did not know that the dia- monds were missing; he did not know that they were in Julia’s possession. _ v... - . - -7-— ,-- «4. .1. a“.-. ..A 12 W Mark Magic, Detective. Hence his thought, as he hastened toward the millinery shop, that Julia Diering was not dead. She had been spirited away, as she had ex- pressed a fear she would be, by those who had made up their minds to wring a confession from her as to where the boy child was. The blood-stains, the stick of wood with hair upon it—all were a. blind; Julia was still alive. Her abductors were Harper and Forceps. Thus he was reasoning when he arrived at the home of Mrs. Duffy and was admitted by that lady. “ How do you do, madam. I have called professionally,” he said, entering the hallway without ceremony. “Are you one of the detectives?” “ I am—yes. I have called to take a little look into the matter here, and to get any infor- mation you may be able to give me, if you please.” Without an hesitation, she told him all that she had told t e sergeant. And here he met with an astonisher in the shape of the diamond discovery and their subse- quent disa pearance. “ The iamonds, you say, are positively gone?” H Yes.” He was nonplused. If the diamonds—for which Harper and his confederate were striving in their scheme against the girl~were missing: then they could not have wanted to abduct er to learn from her, by torture, where they were. In t e murder and robbery this object was accomplished. It began to look as if she had indeed been murdered. “ I will take a look about, madam,” he said, while his ever fertile brain was busy as with a knotty ball of stubborn facts which all‘ his in- genuity seemed incapable of unraveling. He examined the window the ard, the ate, the stick with which the fatal lows ha .ap- parentl y been administered, and he asked: “Did the sergeant you mention also observe all these things (I 1) “Do you know whether he made any other discovsries?” “ I cannot say as to that.” Magic had made two other discoveries than those we have seen come under the special notice of the sergeant, but he was careful not to betray this fact to Mrs. Dufly. The stick with which it was supposed the as- sassin accomplished his hastly work, was a portion of oneof the bed s ts. It was hardly likely that the murderer would have stopped to extract one of the slats, take a grt from it, commit the deed and then pause return the slat to its place—this,while - , sibly the girl was 1 ing upon the bed asleep. Outside the win ow~ there was a small space unbricked, as if there had been an intention at some time to start a flower-bed there. It was close to the Window and an one drop ing or climbing from the sill would he apt to slight in the earth there. A footprint would be made. And a footprint Ma ic had discerned; an itemtwhich had sees the eyes of the ser- gean . But it was not a man’s foot rintl When satisfied that be con d ather no more serviceable information from rs. Duffy, he took his departure. His first move was to seek the low rum shop where he knew Harper and Forceps had taken up their abiding-place. But when he entered, be was no longer Mark Magic to all appearances. It was a half-intoxicated roving, rollickin sailor who lurched forward to the bar, as i , under the influence of drink, he Owned the whole premises, and bellowed, sonorously: “ Give way there, lads! Set as afloat and a- geing-i Pour out your bil e, old man—and everybod take a drink w th Fo’cas’l Bob— Grizzly b, who’s guzzls’s as deep as the hold 0’ the Lizzie herself. Float us all. old man. Come, on, an’ join a sailor ashore!" and he tipsily koned to two men who sat at a greasy table at one side. These two no less than the man Harper and his insepérable companion Forceps. Sandy had at an early hour sought his two friends in the little private reom. Indeed, it was doubtful whether he had slept at all through the remainder of the late nigh and only waited for day] ht to seek some exp sna- tion of the failurew ich had plain] been the _lot of the two who had intended a uctin the girl whose possession meant so much wealt to " I won’er if them darned aloots is a- layin’ me?" he meditated, aloud, as e washed is fat and bloated face at a tin bowl and wiped it on a cearse towel that mi ht have been in service a month since it was set in the wash-tub. “I wouldn’t like ’em for to try that there on, I wouldn’t. I'd make things purty hot fer Fore cope, you bet. I ain’t no guy ferto hefooled tbat-a-way: an’ I’m a-wantin’ to know more about the thing. Hav’ the giv’ up the racket altogether? If so, then, urn me if I don't want to know where my tWenty dollars is a- comin’ from! I ain’t got no twenty for to waste on even a old pal like Forceps. I’ll just talk the thing over before I open the bar.” \ In shirt-sleeves and collarless, he went to the room. He found them awake—indeed, they did not appear to have retired at all; their faces wore a dragged out and sleepy look, and in the eyes of each there was an eXpression very much like what would be found in the features of a crimi- nal expecting to be pounced upon by the police at any minute. “ Say, ou fellers, I don’t altogether feel ex- actly rig t about this here thing. I want to know more about it, I do,” he announced, a little sharply, as he entered. “Hold on, Sand ,” said Forceps, with a glance at the botte on the table, which was now empt . “ Bring us a stiffener first. We’re all piaye out; haven’t had any slee . We’d have called you before this, only we d dn’t like to disturb you. Bring us up something, will oui’ “Oh, well, I‘ll do that.” When he had brought another bottle with some ice, he drew up a chair with a bump on the floor and seated himself squarely in front of Forceps. “ New let’s have the whole thing. “’hat does it all mean, anyhow, that‘s what I want to know?” “ Old man,” returned Forceps, as he wiped his dry lips after a heavy draught, “ there’s something happened that neither you could guess nor that we expected. Somethin it was that threw us all off our pins when we found it out, and actually scared us so that we couldn’t talk much when we came in—though we didn’t have an band in it.” “ Wel , an' what was it ’at happened ,7” blunt- l y questioned Sandy. “ Instead of finding a girl to abduct, we found a bedroom splattered over with blood and no girl at alll” Sandy’s eyes opened. He was a hardened ruiiian; but even with such as he, it was no light matter to be mixed up in a murder case. He stared at the speaker for a second silently. Then. with an oath, he blurted: - “Did you fellers go an’ kill the all” “ No. no, we didn t have anyth ng to do with it, I tell you; we didn’t know anything at all about it until we saw the blood-stains all around the room. Then we ’up and scooted for all we were worth, lest something might occur to bring us in as parties to the affair. Our hands are clean, Sandy; but 1 don’t wantto be in such a fix in a hurry again.” iAn ugly scowl came over the saloon-keeper’s v as e. - “ he gal’s been murdered 2’” “I see so, bgethe looks of things in the room took to hers in :he house we en- teret .” “You kin swear ’at you didn't do it?” “ Yes," answered both Harper and Forceps in a breath. “ Square?" “ Four corners all round—a regular cube, Sand .” “ en that there racket o‘ yourn about get- tin’ the diamon’s is bu’sied, eh l” And the scowl hardened. “ \Vell, for the present, old man. I don’t know hardly what to say,” Forceps replied, sul- enlv. “I reckon [know what to say, though,” quoth Sandv. “ What is it?” “You two tellers owe me twenty dollars. I ain’t got no twenty dollars to be a-givin’ away for nothink, I ain t. I’ll jest keep them itzere t o’ ourn an’ your frien’s here till I see a sig t for that little amount. They may be worth the difference.” “ Oh, that’s all right. We’ll soon be able to pay you back that much. You ought to know that a cracksman like I am won’t be so very long out of a job. Keep them, Sandy, if you’re a eeg.” h d er apst ebarkee ha eXpected to make the other wince underage threat. The extreme coolness with which Force 5 received the fist of the situation was unlike t e behavior of those who formed the gang making headquarters at his lace. ith these, he always managed to maintain the upper hand in some way and lorded it over the criminal humans after a fashion. “ Yes," supplemented Harper. “ Keep the things. my friend. We?I soon hav funds enough to pay you back t e twenty, nd you can continue to keep the duds if you want, for we’ll get new ones.’ “ 0h, all right, if you’resoawful willin’,” said the man, though he would rather have had the “if? Milled d opened hi h e eseen an sgrog-s op. . Harper and Forceps did not descend until later in the day. They found Bandy engaged in reading over an aocamt in the newspaper which gave thrill. ing particulars in‘ regard to the murder—or W murder— at Mrs. Duffy‘s millinery s . - “ Here’s the whole racket, I reckon,” he said, to the two, as they entered and advanced to the counter. “ I’ve got through with it, an’ you kin read it. If you tellers are mxed up into it, about the best thing ’at you kin do is to light out with what change you beve left from that there twenty, or you’ll find out ’at I was tellin" the truth when I said the police was takin' on a smart spell just about now, they are.” Receiving the paper from him, they retired to a table. They had barely finished reading the article under the bold black bead-lines, when the rol- licking, drunken sailor made his appearance- and fl led the place with his boisterousness. , Forceps was inclined to accept the offer of the old grizzle—bearded Jack. But Harper held him back, saying, for both: “ Drink your fill old fellow; we'vesomcthing else to attend to. Forceps, sit down.” “Oh . well, mates, it so be as you won’t join, why, heave ahead your own channel, that's all. No offense—no offense !” The sailor threw himself into a chair beside one of the tables- the one next to the pair who seemed to be interested in a newspaper that was spread before them. I “ Set all sail, bar-keeper!” called out the griz— zle—bearded Bob, with a lurch in his seat. “Fetch ’em along be ore the wind smart an‘ lively. What!" as an ordinary less of toddy was set before him. “ What! at! See here. matey, I wants something to keep the sun frrm settin’flre to my scuttle-top, I do. Bring your bilge in a tin cup, an’ don’t take too many ,hitches in the measure, d’ye hear?” and he pushed the glass aside c‘isdainfully. “Look a-here, have you got any money to ay fer this circus?” demanded the saloon— ee r. ithout a word, the sailor drew forth a hand: full of greenbacks and flourished them in the other’s face for reply. The tin cup was brought, with a copious mix- ture of teddy. Then Bob Grizzly settled himself back for the enjoyment of a private spree, as if he was total— ly careless of the whole contents of the world. Time and again the large cup was raised to his lips, and the barkeeper eyed him covertly with his own thoughts as to the remarkable foolishness of a man who would deliberately make a drunken idiot of himself. For, reader, know ye, that though the bar- keepers dispense the Vlle stufl with very willing hands, there is scarce] one among them who does not look upon the r whisky-slavish custom ~ on as fools to the utmost! Half drunk when he entered the lace, and partakin apparently with a won erful fre» queue o the todd ,it was onl a matter of time fore the hi arious Bob rizzly became wholly inehriated. There was suddenly a crash of chairs. Head OVcI‘ heels went the sailor. And as he struck the floor he lay there in an evident state of total insensibility. But none of those present observed particu— lariy that he had fallen in such a manner as to bring his head close tothe legs of the table of the air, Harper and Force . T eir conversation had een so low and a? such a distance that the disguised detective could not hear a word that was said. . But now, after his purposely contrived accr dent. he heard Forceps sug est: " Let‘s get out of here. The chances are that the fellow will presently have the delirium, and we may get into a scrape. Now more than ever do we need our best wits.” . "Oh. bOShY He's done for—drunk as an owl in daylight. No danger even of his hearing 11 Word We say. Come, Forceps, you have a lon-' ger head than mine, I know, in the end. What is to be done in this case! It beats me.” ” Why, I am at as much loss as yourself. But I see one thin .” “ What is t at?” “ I can’t be fooled by any such trick.” “Trick?” - “Yes. I don’t believe the girl’s been mur— dered at all. You know as well as I do that she is a very desperate thing just about now. She would do anything to escape from us. This murder afl'air is all a sham. She‘s gotten it u herself to delude us. I would be willing to t my head that she is at this mo- ment alive and well—hidden somewhere, if she has not already left the town—laughing at us for our being so easily outwitted.” "Do you really think sol” H I do.” “ What is our next move?” “Play detective against the fellow who has contrived the plot for her.” “You think it has been contrived for her by that fellow who came over on the boat with us and whom we thought we had thrown overboard, when it was only some innocent party i” " That’s exact y my opinion.” “You say play etective. What do you mean?" “Try and find the girl again, and prove that we haven’t traveled the town all our lives for nothing.” “ But where to begin!” «has». « mat..- 4 Mark Magic, Detective. 13 “I‘ll tell you. But not here. . room,” and rising, Forceps beckoned his com— panion from the saloon. Harper fullo'w'ed silently; When they had gone, I returning consciousness. . He gained his feet with a hiccough and a lurch that nearly sent him sprawlmg up against the bar. Hitching at his breechcs, he halloed: “Heave ahead man the capstan an’ upennchor. Away we go -——;uvay—-—away (hic)”— fore the completion of “which utterances, he had reached and passed the door. Into another saloon a few doors above be en- i l Come into the l e sailor gave signs of g “ I am so sure that I could almost swear it.” “ You know her husband, of course?” “ I do not. ‘ She would never tell me who he was." Here was another contradiction. It was hardly likely that two men—as was the case according to Julia’s statement to him— would be suing for the same woman’s hand without each knowing of his rival, if the suit , was conducted with ardor on each side, as Julia your own channel, mates, ; had given the detective to understand it had been. He began to doubt now the sincerity of the , story, in some particulars, told him by the love- lrl g . " What is it you wish me to do?” he asked tered. but there was not the slightest sign of in- l again. toxication about his movements. “Are you the proprietor?” he interrogated of a man with a very red face. “ Yahs, I wos.’ “Just take charge of these duds for me for a little while, please, and I will pay you for your trouble.” ' Saying which, and in a tries, the sailor’s garb disappeared, and Magic, by a few Simple turns, had a bundle extended in his hands toward the astonished individual. “Mine Himmell who you wos?“ “ No matter, my friend. PleaSe take charge of these, and here 3 a dollar for your trouble.” Without waitin to see whether the German would acce t of t e charge or not, he hurried from the es oon and tawnrd the millinery shop of Mrs. Duffy. He had discovered one thing that was conclu- sive to his mind. The rogues, Harper and Forceps, were not parties to the mystery of the supposed murder. A quick glance which he had iven at the newspaper they had been enga in looking at, while seated at the table. tol him that their conversation was based upon the pa aph concerning the mysterious murder of J ulia Diering. As he approached the door of the shop—which had now been reopened by the proprietress—a young man was just leaving. ‘ It was Harold ammond. Mrs. DuflL' y beckoned to the detective. ‘ 1 CHAPTER XIII. A mvs'rnmons anvaansmmxr. Srarpmo forward in answer to the beckon- ' ing finger of Mrs. Duffy, that lady addressed Magic simply: “ Here’s the young man who was paying at. tentions to my clerk. Hammond colored a little at the allusion to himself as “ the oung man” and to his be- trothed as a “ cler .” “ He’s one of the detectives,"~ Mrs. Duffy added, to Hammond. , “ Then I would like to speak with you,” said Hammond, descending from the etc 3. “ What can I do for you!” asked agic. “ A great deal, perhaps. Can I have a short conversation with you in private!" “ Certainly.” They walked off northward, and as they went HammOnd said: “ You are working on this mysterious case, of course l" ' “ I am. And I understand that on were with the young lady up to a late our last night i” . ‘I was. Can I confide something very pri- vate to you—something sacrodly private?” “ You can.” “I have been considered Miss Dieri ’s be- trothed husband by many persons where have met her. I am not such, because I have no right tobe. But it has been my ho to so nr. range matters to release her from or present marriage vows as will enable her to me as her husband. God kno-vs she has on out ground for a divorce, but she is so very timid that she hesitates to take the step I have been ur ing for some time." agic pricked his ears. Was the beautiful J ulin deceiving him or this oung man who was evidently in love with her? She had told him. Magic, that her divorce had been procured. What ob ect could she have in deceiving Hammond, if s e truly loved him? “Well?” said Magic, indeflnitel . “I want to engage you to sift t is matter.” A “In what wav?" “ I want you to find Julia Diering.” “ Find her i” in simulated astonishment. “ Why. is it not a foregone conclusion that she has been murdered?" “ I do not think so." “ What are your grounds?” “I know that Julia was fleein —conotantly fleeing—from the man who is her usbnnd, and at whose hands she e ted to receive a terrible personal injury of some kind. I have conceived the notion that Julia has done this herself- probably finding that _her enemy was too close at hand—to mislead him. But the siren e port of it is that she has not left our arranged y any ~ eans a message to inform me 'of her direction n the flight she has so suddenly taken.” ~ “Do you believe that Julia Dlering is still, alive?" asked the detective, slowly. “I want you to help me find Julia Diering. And I must tell you another thing if you are willing to accept a case from my hands. ’ “ I will accept the case—if on have such good reasons to believa that she is still alive.” And as Hammond hesitated for a second, he added, inquiringly: “ What is it you have to tell me? Everything must be told that can help the case. you know.’ “ Her name is not Julia Die-ring.” “ All ?" “ She was a native of Washington city. Her father, before he died. was one of the employees of the District Commissioners. He was rather a poor man; vet he endeavored to make a show in society. but endeavor ruined him. She married, and her marriage turned out to be one of those unfortunate marriages for which the capital is noted of late years. The husband was a vile thing as I understand from her; she has been a. much persecuted woman. I met her and I loved her. She was already se rated from her husband; but she has not so ar con- sented to an application for a divorce, in order that she ma accept my offer of heart and hand. I love her, , tell you; and if I can only persuade her to get rid, by law. of this incubus, I shall be a 'very hop man, for I know she will marry me at once. ill you find Julia Dieringf" “I will find the youn lady for you, if she can be found. But one t ingil’ “What is it?” . “ You have not told me her real name?” Another hesitation. "Her name is Beryl Pearl.” “ An unusual name,” commented Magic. “Yes.” And Hammond added: “ I will pay you five thousand dollars if on will find her— supposing her to be alive. have wealth, and if your search shall require more than that amount, I am willing that mv ofler should not interfere with expenses. Is that fair enough?” “ Fully no. I will endeavor to work the case, and communicate with my chief at once.” “ You mean the chief of police or some private detective agency in Philadelphia. Well—” “ No, I belong to Baltimore. I have been on the track of this young lady for some time.” “ On her track?’ in sur'prise. “ She as suspected 0 being a little crooked when in ltlmore. I was started out to watch her and ascortain what I could—” Hammond interrupted by grasping the hand of Magic, saying: _ “ I am glad to hear that. I have a profound respect for the detectives of Baltimore. Do you know why? I’ll tell you. There has never yet been an sustained charges against them as Officers in the dischnr e of their duties as in other'cities. Iam that in seekin detec- tivye’ old, I met you. It lea bargain tween us 7 “ Pardon me, Mr. Hammond, but you are an entire stranger to me,” the detective. “ If you will call at the marshal’s office you will find an almost complete record of myself, gleaned when I was detained this morning in connection with this mysterious afloir. I am a mmsible party, as you will find." ‘ here are you residing?” “ The American." “ You will probably hear from me.” During the conversation, they had gone a considerable distance along Sixth street. At a corner io thus bnougbt the inter- view to an abrup c1090, shakin hands with the young lover and degaarting u an its direction, with a feeling, sed u n his now- led e of human nature, that ammond was res ly in the dark concerning the mystery of Julia Diering, and was in earnest when he of- fered the reward for her finding. At that moment be bad entirel given up the theory that Harper and Forceps new anything about the girl. Visiting the omce of the marshal, be satisfied himself by the record that Harold Hammond. was “ all right." Then he started out upon one of the blindcst trails that he had ever encountered since his entrance into the mystic profession. His first act was to telegraph from the counter of the Continental to his chief at Balti- \ more. The. tenor of the dispatch was briefly thus: 4” I have found the ’case.’ A more difficult one than could possibly have been imagined at the first. Five thousand reward in it. More anon. MAGIC." Magic now wanted somo little time to think. l ,‘ 1:. How was he to go about the finding of the beautiful Julia Diering? Perhaps she had left town altogether, without the slightest trace of her course—supposing the theory of Hammond, and indeed his own theory, to be correct. In the broad bar-room of the hotel be bought a paper and threw himself into one of the leather chairs, ostensibly to read, but in reality to onder. he paper he held happened to have the ad- vertisement side out; his eyes idly passed over the stereotyped appearance of the column of “ Wants,” when— Lo! Keen ever, he saw something that struck him as one of the most peculiar advertisements he had ever seen. Absorbed though he was with the matter in hand, he could scarcely have avoided noticin 1what was presented in the following unusu mes: “ WANTED—At once. Two superior ushers. expo. n'enced. House ornamental garden-hands. Su r- intendent of callers. Two experienced waiters. wo ladies for private piano concerts. Also communica- tions with florists, for decorative supplies. Two private messengers with undoude reference as to ability to obey orders Apply at No. —Chestnut street any hour between ten A. n. and four P. I." “ Somebody is going to give a grand party," was the detectivo‘s thought. He bought a cigar and sountered out in the direction of the house whose number was given in the paper, desiring to take a glance at what h; supposed was to be the place of a nabob a air. To his surprise, he saw workmen engaged in lanting. highly ornamental electric lights be- ore the mansion in question—for it was indeed a colossal establishment, with massive steps and doorwa , with brilliant vestibule and an in- terior t at a beholder might pictureaa full of stran ely beautiful adornmento. “ he lives here?” be asked of the man who seemed to be superintending the management of ‘ the work. _ “ The wealthiest lad in Philadelphia, I reck— on, by the way she are things, and the most beautiful one you ever not your eyes on. There she comes now. She is looking over every- thing that‘s being done herself. She’s full 0 business, I tell you." . ‘ o' He pointed to a handsomely capurisoned pair of gray horses that were prancing alon toward the house at the momog, the richly ecoreted barouche behind them ntalmng but a single occupant. This a woman, whose loveliness was fully proportionate to the expression of the boss mason. Magic cast a covert but keen glance at her. And in his heart he started. - He was sure he knew the person in the‘ba- rouche. , But nc—the young lady there was an ex- quisite blonde, with a wealth of golden tresses conspicuously displfi'ed. Onlv the- eyes seemed to strike Magic an eyes that he had certainly gazed into before. She alighted and entered the building, evi- dently on a tour of inspection. ' Something seemed to hold him. He stood for several moments as if undecided whether to proceed on his way or remain for the beauty to come forth again. But a car happening to pass eastward at that " moment, he jnm onto t and returned to the hotel, his mind led withtho stubborn thought that he had certainly seen the beautiful blonde somewhere before. “I will find out what is goin on at that house," be resolved, as he return to the reed- ing-room; and so strong was this new feeling upon him—as if by an inexplicable influence-7 that be for the moment forgot the prior mat- ter in hand of looking for mysterious Julia mug." decided an m “ vs u an n e ' 'I‘hevoicycolzlnnathlsobow.y 8’ Seldom was Magic so off his guard as to per- mit of any one approaching that close without his knowledge. _ Harold Hammond was standing beside him. “I want you to kee close tome,” said the ‘ detective, speakin , as _ e afterward confessed , as if under the in uence of some power which could never be explained. “ I think I have dis- covered something, and et do not know why I. think so. Change your otel. Come here. and I want you to help me fathom a mystery." CHAPTER XIV. ran conmss nu mums. “ I WANT you to help me fathom a mystery.” said young Hammond, in response to the their speech of a similar chamcter. “What do you mean?” . “ I mean that I have seen Julia Dieting.” “ Indeed,” and Mn 'c opened his eyes, as if he was greatly surprised.l , For instantly upon hearing the words, he had anon ht he had solved the mystery of the on e. “ I saw her distinctly pass along Chestnut street not half an hour ago in an open baroucho .. .. «'- —-q.-»yr«-.—- . and attired richly. But I noticed another thin .” u but?” “Evory particle of habiliment upon her was iwhat is cal ed readyomade, though of rich qual- tv. “ You are a keen observer.” "Not particularly so, when I tell you that I was once a clerk in one of Baltimore’s ladies’ clothing houses. I can detect such suits the in- stant I see them. Julie. is still in the city. She is playin some deep game in which she evi- My wi i not even permit me, her idolator, fishsre.” “Describe the lady as you saw her, lease—— also the kind of conveyance she occupie .” Hammond did so. It tallied exactl with the lady and the ba- rouche that Mag o bed casually observed at the strangely advertising-house on West Chest~ nut street. He did not say to Hammond, however, that he had seen the same party. He only repeated his previous remark: "Come here. I want you to help me to fa- thom a mystery.” “ Then you have discovered something?” “ I never tell everything I have discovered. Do as I say if you want me to help you.” “ I will be guided by you.” Hammond immediatel returned to the Am- erican and settled up his '1] ordering his small trunk sent to the Continental. When he arrived there and was registered, however, he found that the detective was no— where to be found. He aced the space between the counter and the eevator impatiently as night drew down expectin each minute to see the man he had employIn to hunt for Julia Diering. But gic did not make his appearance. There were many answers to the advertise- ment that had ap and which had at first attracted the attention of Mark Ma c, as he looked over the columns of the paper listlessly. He had resolved, as shown, to keep an eye on the mystery of N0. — Chestnut street While Hammond was looking for him, he was so cghetwfiinity of the hotuuiiiand Itle wgs surpseatea otn;orte electric light menpgad lostno timefihe place was ablaze; and the sound of music was pouring from the half-open winddws. “The massive door was open and the vestibule adorned with the rarest exotics and attractive plants of domestic beauty. Inside, the re. s of chandeliers sent a brilliant gleam out to 8 street, and evidently the ad- vertiser must have procured the rformers on pianos for private concert, for t e music was BOlei of thatkind. In bitants of the immediate neighborhood, themselves of the wealthier class, were in aston- ‘ ishment at this remarkable innovation on the hitherto quiet precinct of their dwellings, and many a merchant, detained down-town later than usual paused on his doorstep to look and woéiger w at had suddenly sprung up in their 1111 . As Magic stood looking, as if he was an utter stranger to the vicinity and, indeed, a country-. man y the way he stared, a man came up to himznd said: i i r, ‘ re on ng n “ In w ere” “ Why, into Madame Constance’s.” “ Who is Madame Constance?” “Pshawl you can’t make believe to me. Came; I know ’you were hesitatin .” “ My friend, said Magic. with e most inno- cent eir imaginable. “ don’t know anybody by the name of Constance, and I was only stop; p nghto look at this new improvement to t borhood.” nei v Ife raised his hat in a polite manner, and passed on. But in the shadows, that were beyond the en- trance to this brilliantly-illuminated house, he paused 'to look back. He saw the man who had accosted him withdraw back in the direction whence he had come. Andhsrdly had he made a mental note of this when.he was accosted by another person- age, sayi : ' “ Don’t 'afraid; it’s all right, oung man. I You can go in if you want to; and f you‘re not ucguainted, I’ll introduce you.” his second part did not stop, but passed on and entered the ones, where the sweet notes were coming forth in such strains as might have ca tivated an lever of piano music. ‘It’s a rac at of some kind, and I’ll see it," resolved Magic, quiet! , as he leisurely turned away and walked to t e next corner. Too old a hand was he topassthe hints thrown out by the two decoys. And he thought to himself that if the occu- pant of the new and magnificent establishment id not conduct her business through more egggienced, hands, she would have a short a . 1 Ten minutes later, there was a decidedly Southern-looking young man approaching the of the house. e two decoysstsrted to assume the same ‘1. . Mark Magic, DetectiVe. role that had transpired when Magic had come there in his own proper person. But the Southerner coolly ascended the steps, Casting a glance of surprise upon them, and en- tered the mystic portals. inside he was met by an usher, who had noth- inglto say, but who led the way, bowing. to the par or. A very beautiful and young girl was at the piano, playing a sweetly operatic air. Upon his entrance, another came forward as if to greet him. And she— v The most ravishingly-beautiful being Magic had ever beheld. It would be impossible to describe her dress— onl her face is within the limit of the author’s abi iti. Bac ed by an opulence of hair so golden that it ap ared to shed a shower of the precious meta, below her shoulders, bare and white, and at the front 11 n a brow untouched by the slightest brushing of artificiality, a cluster of ringlets that were as if made there by the liberal nature that made the entrancing being herself, there stood forth a face that Was a le- ture such as painter had never at dar to place u on canvas for fear he won (1 offend the taste 0 people who want things to suit fashion and not true lovoliness. Her eyes were of a bewitching hazel, liquid and sparkling alternately, and instantly rivet- ing upon one with a leasant steadiness. The gaze was accompan ed by a smile that dis- played, just the slightest, a pearly outline be- neath the red lips. ' And the color of eyes, softness of complexion, droopin lashes and delicately arched brows, in centres with the golden and wavy tresses, formed altogether a picture that was a study. Her carriage was one of supremest ease. her mien one of complete self-confidenCe: and as she glided forward to greet the visitor, her movement was of almost faultless grace. The usher remained standing until he saw the mistress extend her jeweled hand to the comer, then withdrew. “ I Welcome you, sir,” she said, sweetly. “ You are the first to call upon me. And I am a little surprised, too, for you could hardly have seen my advertisement et.” “ Your advertisemen ma am?” he rejoined, inquiringiy, as he bowe courteoust over the hand he was ermitted to touch. “ Yes, for only sent it to the papers late this afternoon.” “I hope I have not intruded here? But the open appearance of your residence, the music, in fact every a arance led me to suppose at first that I a ound some pleasantly popular and ublic resort long known.” “ h, it is by no means long known,” she said with a merry little ripple of laughter. “I have only become its mistress on this very day. You are wondering what it can be—this house—my- self, no doubt. Well I shall gratify your curiosity, for it will be no secret after the papers are out on the morrow. You are a South- erner, I presume,” casting her lovely orbs over him searchiiifly. “I am. y name is James Gorsuch. I am from Atlanta.” “ And I am Madame Constance, Countess do Puillier.” “ Ah, a Parisian i” “No, not 'I. My husband, the count, was. He is now dead. Perhaps on will say that I have inaugurated an innova on when I tell you of my little Parisian scheme to support myself —for I must admit to all with whom I come in contact—as some excuse for the business I am about to on go in—that the count died very poor, after aving squandered my whole for- tune. But come. as you are my first caller, let me devote myself to showing and explaining to you my object here. Perhaps you will prove a riend and assist me in the future, evon if on do not patronize me yourself,” saying which, she quietl placed her hand upon his arm, with the addit onal remark: “ You shall not object to looking ovor my es- tablishment while I introduce myself to you more fully l” “I am entirely at your service,” he said, ad- mitting to himself that he was considerably mystified. hen she led him across the magnificently furnished parlor to the hallway and up the staircase. At the foot of the balustrade was a tiny bell arranged on the carved pillar. This she tapped twice. At the sound of the bell, a tall and sable African appeared before them with the sudden- ness of a jack-in-a-box. As they went up the stairs, the disguised de- tectivo observed that this black-faced personage followed. . 'i‘he countess now lowered her vaice so that the attendant in the rear could not overhear. “ I am a countess.” proceeded to say the beautiful women. “But a comparatively yer poor one. I have my living to make in th eat world. and I am unfortunately unfltted gr an manner of work. By my wits, then, must eke out that which is necessary. Hav- K ing heard of this splendid residence, which con— tains no less than twenty rooms, all handsomely furnished, I called upon the agent and ascer» tained that it was for rent as it was, wholly and for an indefinite period, unless sold, and the Owner is desirous of selling.’ I examined it: it suited my pur oses admirably. I have rented it, and as I wilI’shortly be in funds by a relative who has left me a large amount in the West, I may eventually purchase it.” “ You have perhaps a very large familv?" “Oh, scarce y his nurse.” " Then, if I may be permitted the question, why take so large an establishment?” “That is just what I shall explain to you, And as I know that all Southerners are chival- rous, you may feel inclined to help me in attain- ing my object. Will you look at these bed— rooms?’ . She half-paused in the upper entry and waved her hand toward the open doors of large, breezy, comfortable-looking bed-chambers, comfortably and richly arrange at thesame time. “The next floor abovo is similarly furnished throughout,” she pursued. “And .lf you will step this way, I will give you a glimpse of the garden.” She led him out upon a narrow balcony where in the pale moonlight he could see below the shady labryinths of a neat garden, whence came the faint ripple and plash of fountaining waters.” “ And now, Mr. Gorsucb, to speak of my busi- ness. I have thought to call my establisnient ‘ The Bachelors’.’ ” “ ‘ The Bachelors’l’ ” it Yes.” “ Why the name?” “ Because,” and she interpolated a littlelaugb. “ I am going to keep a hotel.” “ A hotel l” “Exactly. The rooms I have shown you and mentioned, I purpose letting to single gentle men of undoubted reputation and of a class Who can pay for such accommodations as I can oifer. Many would prefer one of my rooms at ten or twelve dollars a week to the noisy atmosphere of a hotel—” “ You do not mean including their board ?” “ Oh, not at all. I shall not keep a boarding- house. Onl the rooms are for rent. You have seen; I shal have music in the evenings; I have a pleasant garden: the room of the buffet will be convenient; in short, those who patronize me will have a place of rest where they will be comparatively their own masters, and I shall take such precautions as are necessary to pr?- serve the reputation of my establishment in every degree.” CHAPTER XV. [MAGIC “CHANCES ONE.” “I AM having repared also,” continued the countess, “a rea ing, smo ing and card-room, SP rate, where the gentlemen can enjoy them— se ves in their usual way, if their habitsshould so incline. No ladies will enter into the are rangemeuts in any way save in that you have seen. toperform durin certain evenings 111.710“ the piano. Between t e gentlemen and t It person there will be positively no acquaintanco allowed, and as I shall myself be present, 01' my ushers, continually, there will be no oppor- tunity for sly flirtatious, you see. Now what do you think of my plansl’ “ I think they are decidedly novel, madame, and perhaps, if conducted With the care you- promise, you may succeed.” , “ I am very confident." “ You have asked me to perform the part of a friend, I understood, a moment ago ’ . “Yes, I shall be very dglad if you yin 3881“ me in so far as you may eem proper- ” “ Then I have a suggestion to make. “ I shall be glad to hear it.” “ Have you any other view to the course for obtaining atrous than by the advertisement you have ven to the newspapers” “Yes, I have employed two agents Who shall make it their business to investigate the charac- ters of such as me GPPIY for admltunco to ‘The Bachelors’,’ an to the!!! I have “Breed to gay ‘ certain per cent. until the rooms are lied ” The detective instantly saw throu h the bold endeavor of the two men he had at t encoun_ tered on the outside. . u Madame, I fear you have made a slight mig- take at the start.” “What is it?" and her tone showed that she was i orant 01‘ having done so. “ ose two men are rather about to ruin your business than conserve it.” “ Howl" . “The let folk of Philadel hia may evon as it is not take quickly 39 your arisian lan: and t1. assuredly gwe you the u go—by when the find that these two men whom you have emp oyed nare nightly on your pavement, or near it, soliciting callers for you in a man ner somewhat like the crier at the door of some third-rate museum.” “ Why, sir, what do you mean?” He explained to her in a few words what had transpired when he'approaclled the house; for be any at all. Only my child and . an": i Wm“ DIN“... 3§V«):!¢ ~__ -g . km -_--.‘. ~v~wy .. ._ 3‘:,::~‘_—;":u‘f—Jf:{‘r~sv ..... I Mark Magic, Detective. believed that this beautiful countess was total- ly ignorant of the false step in her enterprise. And he discovered immediately that she was a woman of prompt action at least. for she said. with a voice that was peculiarly uiet: “Be kind enough to step down-stairs again with me, and I will show you that] am in hon- est earnest in my attempt to establish a respect— able and attractive private hotel.” ' Arm in arm they descended, the sable attend- ant keeping still respectfully near, as if per— forming guard over the mOVements of his mis- tress. At the foot of the staircasefshe again the bell that rested upon the pillar-post. his time thrice. . ' A youth a peered, coming from a. side room at the rear of the spacious hall. Addressing him rapidly, she said: , “ You remember the two gentlemen you saw in conversation with me this afternoon on the veranda!” “ Yes, madame.” . “ Go out upon the street and look a short dis- tance in both directions. If you see them or either one of them, send him or them to me here instantly.” “ Yes, madame,” and he hastened ofl'. “ We will go in here,” she said, to the detec- tive. They entered another side room on the op- posite side of the hall to the long saloon parlors where the melodious notes of the piano still sounded enticingly. . This apartment was furnished much like a business man’s emce, with desk, book-case, leather and cane chairs and the usual para- phernalia for counting-room transactions. The countess threw herself into a. chair at the desk and sat it: silence facing the door. The boy dispatched to the front had executed his errand easily. He returned within five minutes, accompanied by both parties. Madame Constance received them with a cold how and did not ask them to be seated. “ I have sent for you,” she said, “ to tell you that I can dispense with your services, to pay you for the time you have devoted to an at- tempt to injure my business and have done with you entirely—” “ Why, countess!” exclaimed one. “ What does this mean?” _ , “ My words were very plain, I think. How much are 'our services worth for the few hours you have een in m employ?” “ But I can’t stan that, you know!” blustered the other of the (pair. “You engaged me at least until you ha filled your rooms.” “ And me.” “ Yes, until you had filled in rooms with gentlemen of reputation; instea of which you are endeavoriurg’eto bring an odium upon me and m euterp .” “ ii ho says so!" The countess was silent. She hesitated to name her new-found acquaintance as her au- thority. ' But our detective promptly relieved her of any embarrassment in this articular. ‘ I am the informer, sir,’ he said, uictly. A quietness that was ver decept ve, for the man at once concluded that e could browbeat the Southerner with impunity. “You did, eh? Wel , you’re a. meddlesome dand , do you know that! Who are you, any- howi’ Magic arose very coolly. “I am our superior, sir, as agentleman— your mas er if you act the puppy in the pres- ence of this lady.” And turning to the countess, he added: “Madame, in view of your endeavor to es- tablish a respectable hotel, and the fact that these two parties have sought to undermine you in that regard, I must inform you, if you do not know it, that they cannot really claim any- thing from you; instead, they are at this mo- ment liable to prosecution—” “ I won’t stand this!” blurted the taller man of the two. “You are disposed to take advanta of.the lady, I see, because you think, or d d. think, that she was both a stranger in the city and one without any friends. I take pleasure in saying that I am decidedly her friend, and it is through me that she will now command you-:- if you know when you are well 011' you will obey, too—to leave this house instantly, and be careful that [you do not attempt anything fur- ther against er interests or you will be prompt- ly handed over to the police—” “Why curse your interference!” and the fel- low sprung forward with u‘praised arm and clinched flat. The fist came dawn. But Its owner was slightly surprised. A gripe lik 'the gripe of a. vise caught his wrist, and in tries he was wrenched around and almost hurled to the floor, in the same man- ner as we have seen the detective manage the belligerent Harper on the boat. On this occasion, however, Magic put even more strength into his grasp, on the man ut- tered a sharp exclamation of pain. But Magic did not stop here. Holding the fellow thus, with one arm twisted painfully behind his back, he rapidly and irresistibly forced him from the room out along the hall to the doorsteps and down these he sent him at One wild leap, which he was com- lled to take to save himself from falling upon is face on the pavement. The other individual had been a silent and astonished spectator to this performance. He saw that this rather smalls-tatured per- sonage who had proclaimed himself the friend of Countess Constance was a practically muscu- lar and cool] —determined_man. He instant y changed his tone, and said, when they were thus placed momentarily alone: “ But, countess, ’tisn’t fair, you know. I bavan’t had half a show to aid you. . I didn’t mean to injure you.” “ Then you have yourself to blame for your own ignorance in regard to what I required of you, after I had given explicit instructions—4’ “ But, don’t I get any money at all?” “ I shall be guided by the advice of the gen- tleman whom you have seen eject the ungen- tleman] y partner of yours.” ” But I sav, countess, it isn’t fair, and I won’t stand it. If on treat me this way, I’ll—” “ What will you do?” asked the voice of the quiet-mannered Southerner, as he re-entered the room. And he said to the countess: “ Shall I send him after his partner in a simi- larm anner, madame,” bowing as if awaiting her commands. There appeared to he no need of this. One quick glance the fellow gave. Then with lips that mumbled inaudibl and ragefully, be hastened from the room an from the house. “ I do not think they will annoy you, fur- ther, madame. The have laid themselves liable to prosecution un er the circumstances, and now that they know on are aware of the fact, they will not risk 1: air liberty or take the chances of punishment by attempting any more damage.” ' . “ I am exceedingly grateful,” said the coun- tess, smiling sweetly. “I hardly would have known exactly what to do but for you.” “ Do not mention it. And now if on please, let us talk a little business. You ave your register there upon the desk, I perceive?” “Yes,” expectantliy. “I shall be the rst applicant, then, I pre- sume, for a place as guest in your novel hotel. I rather like your idea. I shall try and aid you to flil'your rooms, where it may be an effort within such bounds as the intendedre utation of your establishment will permit. hat are your terms?” “Oh, but you have not yet made a selection of your room.” “That need not matter. I leave the assign- ment to ou—only saying that 1 do not want to go very igh, since you have no elevator, and I .rather prefer a secluded section to one of prom- inence. I leave the assignment entirely to you,” he repeated. . The countess opened the huge led er in a busi- ness—like manner and wrote own is name as he had given it to her, with a number opposite to the name. From a convenient rack she took a key. “ You have not told me the charge, madam i” “,I’Iow long will you probably remain with me? “Not for a shorter time than one week, and very likely longer. I will in the morning pre- sent you with letters of introduction which I brought with me from Atlanta.” “1 shall be lad if you will. For thou h I have not the s i htest doubt that I am dea ing with a true gen eman, I desire to carry out the formality w ich I decided should be my rule. The ma 'have selected for you will, I think, give you tisfaction. The charge is ten dollars per week. Do you wish to take possession at once?” ‘ The countess was now talking straight busi- ness, and though very agreeable in manner and voice her former witchery had seemed to depart in a degree for the time. “ I would like to see the room, so that I may find it without disturbing others when I do come. I will hardly take full possession till morning.” She stepped forth to the bell, giving it two ps. The sable African appeared and at a sign from her conducted the first guest of the house up to his room. The countess parted with him, with a grace- ful bow. “Your mistress said something about there being a buffet in the house?” he remarked to the servant. “Yes, sah. Have something, ssh?” “Bring me a julep.” “ Yes. ssh,” as he received the dollar note given him. 'When the 'ulep was brought to the room. it was beyond‘ ispute as handsome and relishahle a draught as Magic had ever seen mixed. But the African said, with just the slightest grin, as he withdrew: ‘ “ No chan e, ssh.” . Magic wh tled lowly. r ‘ ‘/ ‘ “ The countess has made up her mind to accu- mulate some money, I see,” he addressed him- self, when alone. Then. after a few sips at the julep, he set the glass on the center—table and seated himself in a thoughtful mood. He had considerable to think about just then. He felt that he had made a strange discovery. CHAPTER XVI. A STORY FROM THE SOUTH. IN the first moment that Magic had set eyes on the lovely Countess de Puillier, he believed that he stood face to face with the mysterious Julia Diering. But as she talked, and as be marked her de- meanor, he came to the conclusion that it could: hardly be Julia. The points of resemblance were man , it was true; but then, Julia had very dark air; her manner was very subdued, with none of the be- witching ease and agreeably entertaining quali- ty with which the countess seemed to be ready to greet whoeVer should call upon her. This beautiful wife of the dead Count de Puil— lier was a cross of blonde and brunette: Julia Diering was a. lovely girl of surely lesser years and of an easily discernible retiring disposition, so far as Magic had had opportunity to jud e. But in that transient interview which she ad compelled with her untrustworthy employees, he had seen something which had again sent the thought through his mind that it was J ulia Diering in this remarkable disguise. When she had addressed the men, her mouth assumed that firm, half-stern compression which he had noted in the face of Julia Diering at the time when he spoke with her at Mrs. Dufl'y’t store. ' - And the countess had deliberatel mentioned. having no family save a child an its nurse— another circumstance that tallied with the item of a child in Julia Diering’s life. It was under this influence that he had re- solved to become an inmate of the novel hotel which the countess had expressed an intention- of inaugurating if she could. He» must know whether his suspicions had and or not. Magic was prepared to admit to himself that she was one of the most clever women he had ever met with. . Finishing his julep and pausing long enough to take some observations in connection with his appointed surroundin 5, he went out. locked the door and descended t a handsome staircase. The countess observed him as he was passing the parlors, she being at the moment in conver- sation with the young lady at the piano while that feature of her establishment was indulging in a restful pause. Coming forth, while she detained him b y a wave of her fan, she said: “ You will remember, Mr. Gorsuch. that the ' parlors, the whole house, is at the disposal of hose who may become my guests. I hu'e only to remind you that any conversation with that young lady, or any attentions toward her of any kind; are strictly forbidden. Among gen- tlemen, that ought to be sufficient.” “ Quite so, madame. I shall not forget the re- minder.” Leaving the blaze of madame’s house, Magic entered a car and proceeded down to the Con- tinental. . The hour was then growing late. But Harry Hammond, who had learned by several inquiries that Mr. Mark Moreley had not yet come in—the name Magic had assumed upon going to the hotel—woe still cing un- rested y before the reading-room an the coun- ter alternately. He did not of course recognize the detective in his make—up as the Southerner. Magic tap d him on them “Come With me,” he laid. “ IVho are you, sir?” ” Mark Magic. Come l” He led the we pavement, where e quickly dispensed with his few features of di ise. “ I never would ave known you!” exclaimed the surprised Hammond, as he saw the detec- tive convert his southern-looking slouch into a smaller and round top-hat, while, with the addi- tion of gray whiskers and a turnin of the coat he once more stood forth as Mr. little old gentleman. ‘ . “ I suppose not,” said Magic. “ I do not dis- guise myself so that others can readily recog— nize me. But come up to. my room now. think I have made a little discovery.” , Procuriug his key, Magic led the way to the elevator. When alone together in the, room, Magic sa Julia Diering may be alive.” " “ You say a. further clew ’1” v H Yes.” “ Did you have any previous clewf” “ Oh, yes!" . I“; You have been reticent, then, in regard to I l I ‘ . “It is the we of m profession.” “ What was tyhat 0 er claw?" “Simply that I discovered, when conducting out to the Sansom street' id: “ I have still a further clew to the fact that I “am oreley, the ' ‘4 ’16 H- .-._...._. ‘ " "I? ' my investigations at the millinery shop of Mrs. Duffy, that the person who clambered forth from the window at that house into the back- yard must have been a female,” and be ex- plained about his finding the footprint in the narrow flower-bed, concluding with—- “And now I am quite sure that the footprint was made by Julia Diering in her flight.” “It is an item,” admitted Hammond. “ I am very glad to find you sanguine, with myself, that Julia is still alive. shall ever find her?” “ ‘he chances are that I have already found her.’ Hammond instantl “ \Vhere is she? she is?” "Keep cool, my friend. . not dot in s headlong. I sa I think I have found her; did not say that had found her.” “But put me in the way of knowing where you think she is—" “ It is in regard to the circumstance I wish to speak. If I am to rosecute this search, you must allow me to 0 so in my own peculiar way. To aid me. which I suppose you wish, If the youughladg t at became excited. but is, where do you think We detectives do you must be guided by me. . ' suspect to e J ulia Dieriug suspects have penetrated her disguise, she will probably flee again. And I trust you will pardon me if I speak plainly and say, that for some cogent reasons of her own, she has decided to throw you over.” , “ Throw me over?” “Get rid of you—" “I won’t bel eve it!" declared the young man vehemently. “Julia loves me; she is not my wife at this moment because the law will not rmit her to marry me. You do not know er' she is a p00r innocent, persecuted woman. And as soon as I can rsuade her to obtain‘u divorce, she will be mine.” “ It is not my task to disabuse your mind in that articular. But I am sure that she does not esire you to know of her w‘lliereabouts, at least for the dpreseiit--supposin t a lady I have spotted in isguise is indee Julia Diering. Now, if you come forward, the chances are that she won (1 give you another slip. My plan is for you to remain perfect] shady, while I find out what she is up to. f I discover that it would be wise for you to come forward, I will at once a prise you. Perhaps when she decides that, in the role I suspect she is acting, she has escaped those who are, as you know, her deadly enemies—though you say you do not know who they are—” “No; if I did, I would deal with them sum- marily myself, whether she ordered it or not.” At this juncture there was a knock at the cor. One of the waiters, obeying the response to enter. presented a letter. “D ’s been a lettah, sah, down at de ofiis sauce 9 ebeniu’ mail, au' de clerk dah forgot to gib hit to you when on kem in.” “Thank you,” an tipping the waiter, Ma ic roceeded to examine the contents immediate y, or he recognized on the enVelope the well-known chiryaph of his chief in Baltimore. “ on w tplease excuse my readlu this,”he said, apol cally. “ It is from he. quarters, and probab y of pressing importance.” There was a letter and a printed inclosure— the latter a clip ng from a newspaper. The letteras ollows: “What are on up to over there? Read the in- closed. [Take 8 hint. and have a sharp eye for the reward mentioned. You may strike the game in your vicinity.“ (Signed by Magic's chief.) The clipping was from a New Orleans paper, as follows: “A STRANGE STORY. ' “ CAREER OF A BEHARKA BL)? WOMAN. “Sesame Snow. re a Mrsnnr. “ Readers of this paper will easil recall the excite in tragedy devbl in a aamb ng resort in this cl y, on Custom ouse street. at a time about one year ago, a brief resume of which we give below. “The establishment was fathered by a wealthy South mericaanoughKlractically resided ovorby one the most beauti lwomen maghgtble, who was kn to the regular freiipeuters o t e parlors as Bo , the Faro Queen. ight after ni ht she could seen filling the post at the ealer’s chair. and maul lating the fatal box with a mar- velous skill an grace. The South American, like ' her very shadorr, was ever resent. One night there was a thrillin scene in he parlors. Some poor soul. a slave o the game, had lost every dollar he, possessed in the world, and in his frenz drew a nigger to end his blighted career then an there. Ano r player, mis ngithe motion for a menacn. aha drew, tiring simultaneously and anticipating the would-be suicide by killing I: instantly. The un- ncky victim had friends p t, and these at once attacked the man who had fired the shot. He too and friends. For a space the sound of briskly crack- 338 revolver, mied the a «clone salon. The place. so k'xurlous a few momen s‘before was transformed {to a wreck of my mirrors. disordered furniture and wounded. cursing men. Out of all the shots fired. strangely. only two had taken an serious ‘ Olcect on the combatants; the youn man rat men. ed and the South-American. t e latter being overtaken, it was supposed. by a bullet as he was But do you think we ' - without an Mark Magic, Detective. i endeavoring to escape from the nulu'. The murderer of the wing man was apprehended, tried and pun- ished, iarcly escaping with life. The Brazilian had a bullet in his head; his wound was thought to 1 haveheen inflicted b a stra ball. as he did not taki- I the least part in he trou le. He lived, but I reason seemed to be gone forever. lie was placed . in an asylum, and after these many months it was i believed that he had died, as nothing more was heard of him. The establishment on Custom House ‘ street was immediately closed, and Borgia, thc Faro . Queen, disappeared entirely. “THE SEQUEL! “The S )anish Brazilian, Senor Ludoviq, did not die. To tiie contrary. he recovered fully in health and reason and with a keen remembrance of the events of that exciting night. He has placed a case in the hands of the police. story. He first met Borgia, as she was called. in London, where she filled a position at a. gambling .w/lon similar to the one on Custom House street. She was then merely an employee. Her beauty was an attraction for the place. even as great as the fascination for the game among its V'Otfll'li s. Ho came to America to establish business for them- selves. His immense Wealth was _the foundation of an additionally large fortune winch they accumu- lated together. They did not deposit in any bank. As rapidly as money grew in their hands. it was iii- vested in rare diamonds and these do )OSlfod with a trust company. When he issued at ast from the asylum. Senor Ludovi found that Be in had drawn the whole of the mmensc treasure mm the com any and fled for parts unknown, without even waiting to ascertain whether her lawful husband was dead or alive. He now directly char es that it was she who shot hlni down; he saw her n the. act as he made toward a door of exit. She wished to be rid of him, and imagined that in the prevailing con. fusion at the time her deed would never be sus- pected The senor had been left a comparatiwly r man, considering his former enormous Wealth. ut is still able to, and does, ofi'era large reward for the discovery of the woman or the diamonds. It has been ascertained that Borgia went north- ward at the time of the tragedy. More than one private detective firm has entered for the race—the reward being so large—and there may yet be some exciting developinen sin addition to those already public in connection with the affair.” CHAPTER XVII. rim couxrnss WOULD NOT OBJECT. MARK MAGIC refolded the letter and the clip- ping, returning them to their envelope and placing the latter in his pocket. “Nothing, I hope, that will call you away from this task I have engaged you upon,” re- marked Hammond. “()h, no,” the detective replied, a little ab— sently, for his mind was full of strange thoughts in connection with what he had just perused. “ You were about to say something in regard to this person whom you have spotted and whom ou suspect to be Julia, doing something when s e feels assured that she has eluded her enemies?” “ I think, when she ascertains that fact, she will contrive to let you know where she can be found. Perhaps she has an idea that you might be traced—her enemies probably knowing you as her lover, thcugh you do not know them, and falling upon your track, be led up to finding her. I prefer to handle the case absolutely consequent failure, as I shall be able to do i you obey mo in my :- nest. Julia Diering is in disguise, if it is J ulia iering: she is not so doing without some deep object. Any- tlflng precipitate might frighten her off some- where where she would elude us com letely." “ I will do as you say. What shal it be?” “ 1n the first place, nomise me that you will not, by any means w atever, strive to ascer- tain anything regarding my comings or goings or follow me if you see me perform a singular act. For I may at a second’s notice change my appearance and leave you abruptly at some t me when we are together. Of course I could very easil get rid of you altogether; but I have no w sh to do that, since you are employ— ing me and it is natural for you to wish to see me occasionally. And now to change the sub- ject: Have you procured your room here?” “ Let me bid you good-night then, for I am a little sleepy.” 'Hammond withdrew and the detective imme- diately sunk into a deep study that lasted dur- ing nearly a half-hour. ilent and motionless he sat, having drawn and lighted a cigar. notwithstanding his protest to Hammond that he was sleepy. In the rings that he sent curling upward to the ceiling he seemed to be shaping a solution of the puzzles that evidently occupied his mind. an at last be tossed away the cigar and sought his bed, he muttered, in a sudden reso- lution: " I’ll lay the game for its worth, anyhow. I may at he it big, and if I don’t, I will at least have the satisfaction that I started on a better clew than those Southern detectives could pos- sibly have caught onto. If the woman is Julia Dlering and if she should pé'gve to be this re‘ marka le woman called rgla, I havo . no child’s play ahead, by what that clipping sug- ests.‘ Magic had been reviewing everything in con- nection with the mysterious female in black: bar atte t at ‘suicide on the boat, the storv I she had to (1 him in all the appearance of confi- He tells a singular , fell in love with and formally married her. and they , fl dence, and apprehension of her enemies, which would throw an additional mystery into the per- sistent trailing of the two men, Harper and Forceps, it but a fabrication; the information his 1 about the diamonds which hehiid gleamed from Mrs. Duffy and the unusual mode being adopted by the beautiful Countess de Puillier for the in- au uration of her bachelors’ hotel. 11 the morning he Was astir at an early hour, and his first not after a good breakfast, was to procure the Ledger. As be anticipated, he soon found, in its classi- fied column, the gdvei'tisement of the countess: “‘Tna Bacnsmns’.’ Aprivate hotel for gentle- inen, conducted with excliisiveness and taste. Rooms only. Fine garden, inugnifiCent apartments, polite attention, every convenience for comfort in detail. parlor entertaimnent. For terms or other information. address or call upon Countess de Puil~ her, No. —— Chestnut street." It was truly an advertisement to attract at- tention at least. . Magic set about playing his part at the afore- said hotxl. _ He purchased a trilnk, which be filled with a reasonable but valueless weight, and ordered it delivered to the mansion No. —— Chestnut street. At a later hour he repaired thither himself. He was admitted by the waiter who had in- formed him that there was no change for the 'ule . . J Agcending to his room, he could not avmd noticing, as he went, that the countess_was de- termined to make the place attractive in every particular that could be thought of. ‘ / The atmosphere was uiet and redolent with an air that was almost li e some cool perfume. But he saw no one other than the sable at. tendant at the door. His window overlooked the garden, which. while suggesting to his mind on the night pre- vious a. shady and delicious resort fora tired bachelor with his book, now seemed to be in a billow of bloom and sweet scents, where the fountain played and sparkled in a silver spray in the sunlight. A figure was moving alon one of the narrow paths. attired in raiment li e some mysterious weaving of char] that showed the figure to ex- quisiteness while it amply protected. The countess. From his accidental point of observation. be watched her, striving to decide in mind whether it possibly could be the girl, Julia Diering, or whether he was wasting all his time following what was so far no more than a mere shadowy imtpulse that Seemed to lead him involuntarily. a he gazed, he saw the African approach with a card on a salver. A visitor, evidently, for she immediately turned and entered the house. ,IHardl had she and the African disa eared, and as t e detective was on the point 0 eaving the window, when he perceiVed a face thrusting itself forward cautiously from behind a clump of sweetscented shrubbery. The face of Harper. be?! d a moment later, the face of Forceps close e. The quite uuex cted occurrence caused just the all htest thril to pass over his pulse. If t ere two Were there in such a stealthy manner, it must be with a. view to something concerning the countess, and the fact would seem to suggest that she was, at last, Julia Diering. Drawing back slightly in order to be better screened from the two whose eyes were makln a critical surVey of the house, Magic kept h s keen glance upon the skulking who now, withdrawing their faces, he could see, Werev making for another part of the garden on the nearer side of the fountain. As the minutes passed, he heard footsteps in the hallway. Another ledger had been secured by the countess, no doubt. . Then, after a few more minutes, she a pearod again in the garden, gel-n toward an ar r. She had reached a pom just before the arbor, and where the interVening foliage shut her from the view of any person at the house unless hap- uing to occupy an elevated tion such as agic did, when a rather startling scene trans- ired. p Up from the deuseuess of the rose bushes, one on each side, rose the forms of Harper and For- ce fie obstructed her advance and retreat simul neously. But the countess sprung slightly backward, facing them hau htily. What was aai Magic could not overhear at; that distance. But he saw a leer of triumph on the face of Harper. Then, after a few hast words, the follow started forward with ban 3 outstretched, as if to grasp her violently. But he was checked. Without fiinching in the least from his ad- vauce, Madame Constance roducsd a revolver with almost lightning quic ness, and its barrel flashed in the sunlight as it covered the broad breast of the rufilan. . The movement had thrown both Forceps and l l I 9 If: ‘1“ (“J ., ._ Mmfi N. Mark Magic, Detective. 1'7 Harper in her front too, so that she really at the moment held the advantage. “'ith her left hand she pointed commandineg toward the postern, and evidently was bidding them begone under the threat of opening fire from her small and highly gleaming weapon. In the following moment the detective ex- claimed to himself, in an involuntary admira— lion: “Good for the countess l” For the evil pair slunk away from before her and vanished out at. the gate. Then she placed a whistle to her lips, blovving a single blast that brought the African to her side. Exchanging a few words with him, he has- tened to make secure the gate which had been left unfastened by some inadvertence. Madame Constance could have summoned aid with her whistle; but she had pluckin attended to the interlopers herself, and this shewed that she felt entire capability in taking care of her- self in an emergency requiring nerve. Magic passed out from his room and down- stairs. The countess seemed to have had enough of the garden for the resent, however, for she was lust approaching a ong the grand main ball as e reached the last step. “ Ah, Mr. Gorsuch, you have arrived, then i” “ Yes, madame, I have been in my room for a short time, admiring your beautifu garden." “ Ah, did you observe any one there i"quickly. ~“ Yourself, I believe.” “ Yes I was intending to stroll there for awhile, but I fear it is rather too warm. By the by, I have made some addition to my house- hold, even as early as this. Will you look at my register?" “ With pleasure. so auspiciouely.” She led the way into the side room and point- ed to the ledger on the desk. “ Three to commence with,” she said, smiling. “' It is not so ve bad, do on think so?” “ Rather go , I shoul say. At the same rate, 7you will soon fill your admirable little Lhotol. He had read the names of three arrivals, of whom the countess hastened to say: “Gentlemen of hi best credentials in busi- he I am glad you have opened ness, Mr. Gorsuch. I understand, brokers. the Exchange, they said.” “And that reminds me, madame, that I have not yet shown you my own references," pro- ducing several official-looking documents from .his breast-pocket. “Please examine them at your leisure, and return. You are at liberty to address the par- ties subscribing to those letters.” Magic had hurriedl prepared several letters of general introduct on ostensibly from mer- chants in Atlanta. . The ~names he used were names of persons with whom he was well acquainted in his pro fessionai capacity: and he had, before going to “The Bachelors’,” written himself to them, advising them of his action and at the same 'time'explaining fully his motive without dis- closing its detail. He knew that if the countess wrote, the At- lanta parties would not betra the deception. I‘lieceiving the letters, adame Constance sai : “ I will not keep them for a long while. By the by, Mr. Gorsuch, can you recommend a near place where my guests may dine? I anti- cipate that I may be asked by some who may come to my house.” “ Perhaps the Colonnade.” “Where is that?” “A very short distance below your hotel, madame, and I believe a very admirable estab- lishment. But, I think on will find that your guests will rather take t eir meals down town, nearer their places of business, or perhaps at the club. Bachelor merchants, almost as a rule, belon to some club, where excellent meals are serve to the members.” “Ah, those clubs!" exclaimed the countess, deprecatingly. “ Why will gentlemen seek them, when hey can find the same en joyments .at their residence!” “The attraction may be the card-table, to a degree.” ‘ And have I not told you that I shall make provision for that amusement here, if my guests desire!" . “But thereisa diflerent kind of card- lay- ing, intia’dame, which perhaps you would) not perm . “ hat is that?” “It is called Faro." She looked keenlieinto his Southern face for rhaps a second; t n, as if assured, and smil- Ing swaetly, she said: ‘ “Why should I object to anything that is quiet and which may not be too public to injure my house?" ‘ You would not object?” , “ Not if the players were gentlemen who could control themselves in their moments of disappointment and who would guard the secret 'rilella’ she said, casting a glance warily toward e 001'. are all, every one, heir oflices are near I i \ I . .‘ , I. ~ -. . .é-‘sfz.- ' .-v‘, t, - , . .. ..,. (u .r... (i H .5. ‘y A , CHAPTER XVIII. I A NE\V TRAILER WITH A NEW THEORY. “ I HAVE seen a little of that game.” the beau~ tiful woman pursued, in a delightfully confi- dential way. “ My husband, the count, was a votary, and I fre uently accompanied him in the earlier days 0 our marriage to see the ex- citement of exclusive places where he visited, and where ladies might be admitted. It was when it was too late, that I realized I had so injudiciously given my countenance to his ex- travagance. At his death, as I have told you, I was nearly ruined: my fortune had been quite lOst b him in that way. Do you know, the thoug t has sometimes entered my mind that it would be a good way to strike back at fate, for me to seek to recover my fortune from the same channel in which it was lost." “ You mean by trying your luck at the table?" “ Oh, no. I mean by myself assuming the part that was assumed by those who were the hungry things to drag from my husband‘s pockets all that he could master for wagers.” “ You mean, madame, to conduct a. table yourself?” “ I have said that this was only a thought of mine." “Oh, you may speak quite freely with me, madame. I am somewhat of a lover of the ex- citinfiwgame myself. I would be glad to tron- ize l rally a table with so charming a ady as yourself at the dealer’s box." “ “'ould oui" “ Assure ly." The countess seemed thoughtnt for a mo- ment. “ It may be,” she said, slowly, “ that I shall think more seriously of the matter then.” “ But of course you have had no experience at such a businessr “Oh, no! But then I have seen it so much and so often that I am sure I could successfully attempt it.” “ If on decide during my sojourn in this city, p case do not hesitate to let me know. I shall wish for you every success.” “Thank you." Magic bowed and withdrew as the hell soundt ed. telling that there was another visitor for “The Bachelors’." Half an hour later, Madame de Puillier had scored another arrival. Magic went from the house and strolled around toward the rear of the premises. The magnificent garden backed upon a court where were houses occupied by a humble class of people, and he had no difficulty in locating the gate through which the two skulkers, Har~ per and Forceps, had gained admittance. He had observed that the men were no longer attired in their very genteel clothes; their ap- arance when he saw them in the garden, was hat of persons scarcely above the average con- dition o the ordinary tramp. They had been possibly lucky in strikin the trail of the mysteriously missing woman, if the countess could be that woman: and Magic felt partly sure that the knew what they were about—their brief dia ogue in the garden with the lady was to the effect that they saw through her disguise and really meditated some violence at the moment when she so spiritedly held them at the muzzle of her ready revolver. But in Magic’s mind there was now apara- mount thou ht more than even this. The read uses with which the countess had seemed to enter into the suggestion of having a faro table in her house brou ht a thrill of sus- icion into his mind that per aps she was more amiliar with such a game than she was willing to admit: perhaps shoknew it thorough] ; per- }mps she had manipulated the dealer’s x be- ore. Perha s the woman was the mysterious Bor- gia, the aro Queen, spoken of in the advertis- ing account from the New Orleans papers sent him by his chief! As he was sauntering away from the entrance to the oils -like court, he suddenly saw both Harperan Force emerge from a two-story dwe ling on the s do opposite to the wall, in gonversation with the evident tenant of the ouse. Without betraying that he had noticed them, he slackened his walk to see which way they would turn. Then he followed the pair at a safe distance. They made straight for the Colonnade. Here they registered and were shown up to a room. Magic himself registered for meals and paid for a week’s board 11 advance. . “They are keeping class to the woman,” he thought, as be seated himself in the side room and began to glance over a paper. He had been but a few moments thus Occu- pied, when into the room came Harper and For- ce . They took chairs only a few feet from the disguised detective and proceeded to converse in a low toner ' ‘ But Magic’s ears were uncommon ears, and unknown to them. he caught‘much of what was ~after that ion which he l 'gh be ore his face. said, though a parent] engrossed in his paper. Perhaps twoof “ She‘s started a new lay 1" exclaimed Har- per, whisperingly. “ Yes. rather, i must say. She doesn't scare at all like she has all along and did a few days ago. We must work our game a little differ— ently, and more rapidly, I may say, for we are pretty well down at the heel now. Our money is gone: we have no time to lose." Har r glanced downward at hisattire rather dolefu ly. " My only good suit, my watch,and the same with you, Forceps, everything spouted, and Sandy mad because he thinks we ‘played ’him. Suppose we don’t make the racket at all! What are we to do withrut money? And our funds are too short to risk a buck against the tiger.” “Right you are. What we have. let’s hold on to it. I will try and devise a means for bringing matters to a climax with the girl, or do a little something in my‘old line, for that matter, to keep us afloat. here ought to be good picking in that house, don’t you think so! “ Yes. But of course there can be no doubt about the girl being the one we are after?” “ Why, not in the least. She can’t fool me with that wig of hair and a little other make u .9, “You think it is a wig?" “ Certain. She’s had her hair shaved oil, and the blonde tresses are false to a hair.” “ Where has she gotten all this money so sud- denly? For she couldn’t make any such splurge without a pile, I know.” ' “My theory is that she has communicated quickly with the rson who has had the dia- monds in trust al along. She has realized on them in a hurr . You and I both know that she has roved erself a remarkable girl in the way of oing things with lightning quickness, as witness the closing of her establishment in Washington and skipping out, and the manner of getting rid of her child and the nurse so adroitly that we had no suspicion of her move- ments until the were all gone—3’ “Look here! Harper suddenly broke in, and in a little louder tone of voice as something startling seemed to strike him. “ Well, what‘s the matteri” “Sup she, has realized on the diamonds, the who 0 lot?" . . -‘ Well?" “- “ Maybe she’s got everythin invested by this time in that big house: bong t it and piled 11 flats l’pxuries until there’s scarcely a thousan e t! “In that case," declared Forceps, coolly, “ I should be so angry with the sly girl that I would set fire to the durned place and burn up what she had deprived us of by her cussed in- genuity.” “ You mean it!" “ Dead sure,” with a serious nod. “ B gosh! so would I!” “ e mustn’t anticipate that just yet. I Wait till we get our room around on that court this afternoon. We can spy over the garden wall to our heart’s content; at the proper time, I can go through the premises for what it’s worth and raise enough, I guess, to keep us going for awhile. I know of plenty of ‘fences’ in this burgh that will crack u for the equivalent.” And Force added, sing: “Oh, you’ and I haven’t forgotten an of my old time axportncss with tho tcols, an we can hire a set for a nigh for that matter.” 1“Where will you get in!” “Why, at the saloon of Paddy Distance, on South street." “ Where we put up at first?" “Just there, you bet. Como, let’s Walk. I can’t stand so much confinement, never term in the cell.” ~ The ir is t the reading-room. ' glanced sl 1y after their receding. forms over the top 0 h s newspaper. “ Soour Forceps isia cpcksman, chi” he cog!- tatsd. “ And they will break into madame’s house and dispose of the noceeds of a midnight raid at the ‘ plenty of ences' with which the ci abounds. A nice little plot." ‘ hen he fell to thinking over the conversa- tion as it related to the possible identity of the beautiful countess. / , The men seemed to be confident bevond ques- . tion that she could he no other than the missing girl Julia Diering. , The had rented a room on the court at the rear 0 “ The Bachelors’ "whence to conduct their on larious and desizning purposes against l ame Constance. ' A After a dinner at the hotel the detective re- turned to the room he had taken at the private hotel of the countess. ' This room was on the second floor at the roar overlooking the garden—a corner «room, with a ~ similarroom beneath, having but the one win- . dog. though large and airy the finely paced sas . I ' As he drew near to the window, ho overheard voices ascending from the window underneath. There was nothing special in this mere fact, but at the instant he caught a few words that attracted him.I ‘ the newly arrived guests of . " i 5‘, «icy. : I ' V L1,} .‘ Ft,“ 4, '.»j .3 . -_....y. ‘i i a "l ‘ l ,l .‘l i F ii i ,l 7" - .x....._t;-.... I}: a, g," r, .. ;_In.. .. .-;‘.’. A #7.. ..,r, e we: .' a-' a...“ . 1’.— -w... a... m... 4...... a. ‘\.~s-.4a‘a;z;.m ,. ",g $1. 9..» . E" .-.. -. . l x . ~ ...I;‘........a...a~. — Ms..- .x. 18 the house were conducting the dialogue; the voice of one was saying: “ You may return to the chief and say to him that I am very sure I am on the trail of one who was concerned in the robbery of the dia- monds. if not in the actual and mysterious mur- der. Of course this woman, whoever she may be—and I do not believe she is any countess any more than you are—could not have made away with the body of the girl; but she is an accom- plice, according to my suspicion. I came across the diamonds—or what I suppOSe may be a por- tion of the diamonds—at the store of Dash and Blank on South Eighth street this morning. This woman was there and disposed of a lot of them, taking them, so said the jeWeler, from a velvet- pocketed little belt, such as I obtained a descrip— tion of from the lady keeping the millinery es- tablishment. This change in her appearance is all a sham—artificial.” V “ And when shall I say, sergeant, that a re- port may be expected from you?” inquired the other voice. “ That is a difficult thin to say. I shall keep pretty close to the house: don’t want you to come here again. I am playing the part of a very wealthy individual who has nothing to do but to enjoy uietness and luxury. I shall not go out much, at all. My eyes will be con- tinually on this countess, as she calls herself, and I may tumble to her partner in the affair-— that is, the man who evidently must have per- formed the muscular part of the murder. As soon asl have an thing to report, I shall find the means to sea it in. See to itihat no one from head quarters attempts to Visit me here. She isa shrewd woman. no doubt, and would take to flight if she suspicioned thatI was track- ingV her.” hesouud of conversation receded from the window and Magic heard no more. Here was another and singular suggestion for him to ponder upon in his own theoretical trail. The countess had disposed of diamonds from a little Velvet belt that agreed, in descri tion, with the belt that was taken from the be room of the supposed murdered 'rl, and which de- scription had been furnish b Mrs. Dufl'y. The alert sergeant had struc a slow in find- ing that this Countess de Puillier had sold some of the diamonds—or the supposed diamonds-— from a belt exactly like the missing belt. He was then playing the part of a wealthy guest at “ The Bachelors‘,” while in reality watchin for an additional clew from the move- mentso the countess, which might throw him onto the track of her accomplice in the tragedy, the man who had killed and made of! with the murdered rl. A new p ass, indeed. . Madame Constance suspected of being con- cerned in the murder of Julia Dieting! And. Magic was pipin the case from the stand int that she was ulia Diering herself and a so, possibly, the bold adventuress known in the past as Borgia, the Faro Queen! He too resolved that he would conflne himself ‘ launch as possible to the house, in order that the madame should not make a move to escape his observation, and in order, too. that this as- iri sergeant—evidently a shrewd. fellow— Ehou not getahsad of him in the matter of points. CHAPTER XIX. 1'!!! comes umsxs. Nron'r came and found the magnificent betel residence again biasing at the front, while its grandly suggestive appearance of interior lux- ury seemed to have been enhanced in some in 'call susceptible yet indescribable wag. d not music fromthe isno came oat- ing forth upon the street, fll ing the air with notes that showed the performer to be either one accustomed to this style 0 “ hired” evaning concert, and aware of the manner of applying herself attractively to the task, or she was one when very artlessness of touch aroused instant attention. ; ‘ Even in that short time “The Bachelors’” was being discussed by the frequenters of the Ex- change, at their usual resorts down-town, or among those who had so quickly availed of what they considered a remarkable and at the same time delicious innovation. The reading and little card-room, set aside by madame, contained seVeral entlemen, at an early hour of the evening, w ose conversation was principally upon the enterprise of the bean- tiful countess. . ' She herself was a delightful attraction; for her lore—wher- she expected to be nightly, 5 as i in continual recs tion—were open to the guests when they shoal tire of the monotony of smoking, and the strains from the piano were something new for a hotel devoted exclusively to bachelors. ‘ “By Jove! you know.” exclaimed a young broker. who puffed meditativer in the room with his partner. “This is a little ahead. eh? Never saw it exactly in this at is before. Won- ‘der if she will prove herself a e tokeep a hotel, as they say i“ . ' "I am taking in all of this kind of luxury all ~ Mark Magic, Detective. the time,” his partner said. “I do not grudge the twalve dollars per week for such surround- ings.” “ Nor I. But suppose we take a look in upon this young lady who is to entertain the guests nightly With piano music, As the countess has promised.” “I hope she is pretty. performer is always best, to my mind e e—” “ Look out, there! That is forbidden.” “ Oh, I shall not lose this delightful house of privileges by infringing the rules, depend." They started toward the parlors after throw- ing away their fragrant cigars. There had occurred alull in the music as they spoke to ether. Mark agic had descended, and was seated by one of the long windows opening out upon the veranda—like porch. He was listening to the piano and had cast several covert lances toward the performer, observing that s e was very comely and was an ex ert at the keys. is thoughts, however, turned driftingly upon his puzzling case all the time, and he was al— most unaware of the fact when the sound of music seemed to melt entirely away, and si- lence reigned as if the performer, momentarily tired, had paused for a brief rest at her labor. Suddenly the detective felt the light touch of a hand on his shoulder, and a low, musical voice said: “ Sir, may I speak with you?” He looked up surprisedly, to see the young lady standing beside his chair. “ Why, certainly, miss. But—but do you not know that the nests are forbidden to hold any conversation w th you i” “ Yes, I know that. But, at the risk of losing my position here, I have ventured to address you, for there is something on my mind that worries me.” “ Can I be of service to you? You need not hesitate. I shall be glad to do anything that I can. But you must be careful that the countess does not catch us at this.” “ You look to me, sir, like one who is indeed a gentleman' I have learned that you, ma- daine’s first odger, are a Southerner, and I know the Southerners are full of chivalry. I have therefore determined to speak with you concerning myself.” Magic bowed, sa ing: “ I shall try an prove your opinion of me, miss, a correct one in every particular.” “Tell me then, do you think I do ri ht in remaining here in the capacity in whic you see me emplo ed i” . He looked rquiriugly at her, as if he desired her to be more explic t, or explain the meaning of her inquiry. “ I hava been engaged by madame to perform here upon the piano every other night at a fair salary. I have an aged mother to support, and availed of the opportunity madame’s advertise- ment seemed to offer for that reason. I am a very poor girl- these clothes I wear are sup- lied me by the countess. It was with some esitanc I took the position when madame ex- plained riefly to me what manner of house she purposed keepin . Since then I have been very uneasy for myse f, and I seek your advice.” “ In what way, miss?” “ Is it right for a young girl like I am to oc- cupy the position do here, where there are ony men and probabl will be so many of them? Will my reputat on suffer from the pub- licit I am giving myself?” and lowering her mus cal voice, she asked, with something like a breathlessness: “,Tell me, on your honor, is it an entirely proper house for me to be in ?” She seemed to almost hold her breath as she awaited his ansWer, flxing upon him a pair of eyes that really had in them something of an inward startlement. “Miss,” he said, assuringly, “I have every reason to believe that you are quite safe here under the rule establis ed by your employer, the countess, that no one shall address on in any wav under pain of being expell as a guest. know of no reason why you should not continue to perform your commendable ser- vices at the piano for an honorable salary the earning of which is for the object you have named. If at any time you may have reason to believe that you have gotten beyond the protec- ting rules of the house through an ungentle- manly inadvertence of any one of the guests, call promptly u on me, and I will prove your first opin on 0 me with pleasure. Though I must say for your interests, and for myself, since I do not wish to be compelled to leave this delightful abode, that we had best not again address each other, excepting in the emergency at which I have hinted.” “ Thank you.” _ He bowed again as the young girl turned away and resumed her place at the p ano. It was at this juncture that the two young brokers entered. Close behind them, as if just coming from a brief turn in the garden: madam. the countess. appeared, leaning upon the arm of a gentleman Music bya pretty and No flirtation, you know. who appeared to be of decidedly Russian descent. Very erect and of splendid physique was he, with large, bushy beard and high forehead. The countess released herself, saying: “And now, if you please, Mr. Eimenofi‘. ex- cuse me while I address myself to the comfort of other guests.” “ Of course, madame.” and Magic, as he heard the voice of the man, instantly knew that this was the one who had been in conversation with' another at the IOWer window, during tlte after— noon. and Who had been addressed as “ ser- geant.” A The masquerading detective sergeant whom we have seen in his own proqgr erson at the scene of the tragedy at Mrs. 11 y‘s millinery sho . lfagic now knew the man who was on the trail of the lovely countess, under the impres- sion that she was directly implicated in the mysterious murder and disappearance of Mrs. Dufl’y’s strangely beautiful 0 erk. Madame Consrance, after a bow to the seated Southerner, passed to the two young brokers. with whom she engaged in a pleasant conversa- tion at once. . And the piano music floated dreamin around the few assembled there, and the fountain in the garden p’ashed on in its silvery falling way, and just a sin 19 stray gleam of moonlight came through the raperies of the long window at. which eat the alert detective, contributing, as it were, a poetry to the scene and senses. Presently he was aroused by the vozce of ma- dame at his elbow. , , “ I would like to say something to you in pri— vate, Mr. Gorsuch,” were her low words. Magic started slightly. Cou (1 she have learned of his brief conversa~ tion with the younglgirl at the piano? It was not unlikely, as be ad observed that madame had her arrangements so perfected that the ush— ers, and particularly the sable attendant who ansWered to two touches of the hell, were con- stantly moving in such a manner as to give them e es for everything in the direction of the par ors. . _ As he arose and followed her he was thinking for-some excuse for what had transpired, which he could make without betraying the suspi— cions which the girl had e ressed. Madame led the way to t e third floor almost without a word. Here, too, there was an attendant, so that they were really not alone for a single moment. But they soon were to be. , Madame stepped to a door and opened it with a key which she carried. d Beckoning to him, she entered and closed the oor. And Magic was hugely surprised, half-pre- pared though he was, to find himself facing a. brand-new and elaborate faro-table! It was a complete home for the tiger. A glistening sideboard was conve at, on which were arrayed decanters innumera lo and glasses of various shapes appropriate to the draught to be selected. , “You see, Mr. Gorsuch,” she said. with her most bewitching manner, “ I have been expedi— tious since our conversation. I have decided that the aming-table shall yield back to me that whic Ilost through the extravagance of my husband, the count. ’ féYou have been expeditious, indeed,” he sai . But Magic was not to be deceived. He knew well, by the completeness of every— thing in the luxurious chamber, that it had been all arranged prior to the conversation be- tween himself and madame on the subject. “If you can suggest that anything is want- ing,” she said, with aflected artleSSness, “ I shall at once supply it.” . “ I can think of only one thing.” “ What is that?” “ The players." , . She laughed in a prolonged rip le. “ Very humorous of on in eed, Mr. Gor- such. But do you not ink they will come of themselves when once it is know that this table is here?” . “ Oh, no doubt. But you must not be too ready to trust all who are your guests.” “ Nor am I. I have already sounded the gen— tleman you saw me with, and find that he is a lover of the game.” “ No doubt you found it easy to sound him.” Magic though , to himself, though he did not speak, “ when he is just achingh to have you make ever possible advance of t at kind.” “ I shal have him here in a few minutes—I have designated the number. We can at least try our new table, though there may he only you two—just for amusement, you know.” “ I never lay that game for amusement, madame,” an d Magic. She laughed again at this. , And while the ripple was upon her lips, there came a ta at the door. ” It is l r. Eimenofl’.” And be it was. But he was not alone. ‘ Accompanying him was a young broker—one of the very two who had been inspecting the l i. i s i s .9 3 Mark Magic, Detective. 19 parlors and the piano performei‘a few minutes iwith me at Fairuiount in the coming after- previous. " Ah, you have come to venture, also,” greet- [ ed she, to the unexpected addition to the party. “Yes, madame. If there is anything to be won or lost here, I am ready to try my luck. I halfvthought there was something of this kind in the wind from my first coming here. I am sorry my partner has just gone out, or he too won d have joined in to fill up the game.” “ Shall I take my seat?” “ If you will please,” said the Russiamlooking Mr. Eimenofi. Gracefully she glided behind the table and seated herself on a slightly raised chair, before 3 which was placed the significant metal box, though in this instance eVidentl y a box of high- ly polished silver. . Cards, colored chi , In fact the whole para- herualia seemed s ddenly and gracefully to eap into existence under the rapid motion of the countess’s hands, and she presently faced them, saying: “Please name the amount of your purchases, gentlemen. White fives, blue tens, red twen- ties." Then there was a rattle of silver, a rustle of crisp paper, and the click! click! of stacking checks. CHAPTER XX. um suture INTERVIEWS A BURGLAR. THE brilliancy of “ The Bachelors’ ” gradual— ly dimmed as the thoroughly-instructed ser- vants, with the advance of the night-hour, turned off one after another of the bright burn- ers within, until only an occasional jet was re— maining to light the halls. The tall. muscular and very black African whom we have noticed before, appeared to be a sort of major—demo. for he moved hither and thither, looking to the fastenings of the front and rear after the departure of the oung lady at the piano, for whom a hack ca led at the hour of eleven. The massive front doors were closed, and the building assumed an air of desertion through- out. It was nearly three o’clock A. M. when the door of the mystic chamber in the upper story opened and forth came the recent players at the table of the green baize. Mr. Eimenoff was as tall and stately as ever. Mark Magic, though he had home the loss of a hundred dollars or so, did not seem to bein the least put out about it. The young broker was quite pale and around the corners of his month there were lines that had not been noticeable there before he entered to chance his luck against the beautiful countess who dealt the cards with a wondrously-practiced hand. He. had lost heavily. “ You are a rather extravagant player, I fear," remarked the countess to him, as they mowd off from the vicinity of the apartment which had proven so unlucky for him. . “ I can hear my losses, countess,” he replied, with an evident effort at calmness. _ “ I trust that you will exercise due discretion, gentlemen.” “Depend upon us,” responded Eimenoff and the Southerner. The young broker sought his room—one taken jointly with his partner—and found his friend and associate there already in bed. But he was not asleep. and on the other’s en- trance turned over and gazed at him a little surprisedly, asking: “Where in the world‘ have you been, any- haw?” “Fighting the fates." “ Faro!" “ Yes.” “ Where?” . “You will be a little surprised When Itell on.” “ Well!” . “The countess is a lovely and terrible wo- man.” “ What do you mean 1” “You will probably find out if you take a notion to go into room 20 after ten o’clock in the evening.” “What’s it all about!" “ She is a veritable queen of faro.” H 1” “True as you live. She has one of the best furnished rooms for that little amusement that I was ever inside of. it has cost me something . to become aware of this fact.” “How much?” questioned his partner, seri- ouslgb _ “ methmg like six thousand dollars.” A prolonged whistle came from the individual in the bed. ' While he said: “I shall try}in luck with her then tomor- row night—or to-mght, rather, for it is now morning by several hours.” “ I have had some consolation amid my losses. though." the other said. 8'8 he slowly paced back' and forth in a meditative and excited humor. “ What is that?" ~. ‘ “The countess has arranged to go driving i x . noon.” “Why do you call that a consolation i” l “ Because’ —pausing before his com .anion l with suddenness and Vehemence—“Ibe ieve I 5 am bewitched. I am desperately in love With ; this woman Vi he has seemed to give me an ce- 1 static pleasure even while Isaw my money go- i ing, gomg, going into her keeping. An angel, ,2 beautiful and terrible. And am in a passion ‘- over her that seems to whirl my head around i dizzily.” ; “ A goner!” commented his partner, turning ' over in a sort of disgust at the avowal. While this conversation progressed between ‘ the two, an item of some importance was trans- ‘ piring with the others to that first night of the f opening of the mystic room. Eimenoff had turned aside to enter his room, 1 and the Southerner had almost reached his own , floor when a low call from the countess arrested im. ’ Turning. he perceived that she had been i joined by her ever attentive sable attendant. , I They were speaking together earnestly and . owl . “ r. Gersuch,” she said, detainingly. He retraced his steps to her side. “ I shall ask your advice in regard to a rather thrilling matter that has just arisen.” “I shall be happy to give it if it can be of service.” “My servant here informs me that he has " been 1 stening to a. suspicious sound at one of the windows in the areaway from the kitchen ‘ fer nearly a half-hour. It is as if some one was , tryin to force an entrance. But if such is the case, suppose the unusually heavy shutters ; have given the would-be burglar more trouble than he counted on, for he has not yet succeed- ed in openin them. What shall I do? I do not desire to have the police about my premises at so early a day as th s. Sim looked really helplessly at him as she spo e. “Your servant might have gone out and around and probably rightened them off,” he suggested. But the African shook his head. “Dey’s pow’ful crazy, dem bu’glers is an’I doesn’t want fo’ to get shot. ’Sides, was ordered to repo’t to de mist’iss ef anyt‘ing wa’n’t all ri ht fus’. ’ “ ease leave the matter to me,” Magic said, instantly realizing that the bold fellows Har- per and Forceps ad thus early begun to oper- ate for the re etion of their exchequer. Forceps at east, he felt sure, it must be. “What will you do?” she asked. “That is a question that a man can hardly answer before he encounters the burglar. Action may to a degree depend on circum- stances—” “ You mean to encounter him?” “ Certainly, if you will it. Somebody must do so; I think I am eq 1 to the case. If you will please retire, so as to be removed from any unpleasant scene which may trans- pire,” to the countess, “and if you will place yourself where you can be of assistance to me should I require it,” to the African, “1 shall see what the burglar wants, and if Ican ac- commodate him I will do so—for I think I know what he wants: a good strong pair of handcuffs!” The easy coolness of the Southerner inspired confidence in the half coward African. He expressed himself willing and ready for the programme if the gentleman would operate in the way proposed. The countess said: “ I shall trust entirel to you, Mr. Gorsuch,” and withdrew to her pr vate rooms. “ Now, then, show me the way to the kitchen where you heard the sounds. Remove your boots—as I am doing,”setting the example as he spoke. 0n tip~toe, and with the African leading the way, they descended to the rear basement, the windows of which opened on an areaway screened from promenaders in the garden by a growth of luxuriant hone suckle. There was a sufficient g immer of light from .n-.. the s-jet at the head of the stairs leading to the meat to aflord them a view of their course. “ Remain here,” said Magic, to the African as they came to the stairs. "IfI want you I will call you. Do not come down unless I do call you. Do you understand?” “ Yes, sah.” Magic step into the spacious kitchen. Trending l ghtly, be advanced toward one of the heavily shuttered windows. By merest chance it was the exact window at whic‘? the African had detected the suspicious soun . ' And if the detective’s action could have been witnessed by madame or the sable attendant, theHv would have been hugely atonished. e deliberately proceeded to draw the bolt from its socket, as if to facilitate the entrance of the burglar, whose fumbling and wary boring with some tool on the other side was distinctly audible. It was an hour when the household would naturally be supposed to be wrapt in most pro- found slumber. But there was one there in that semi-dark kitchen whose business for years had been the handling of just such parties as the one who might now enter without half the trouble he was putting himself to if he did but discover that the shutter was not fastened at all. Suddenly this fact seemed to be discovered by the bu lar. A set of ngers appeared around the edge of the moulding. The shutter was cautiously pulled wide and a masked face peered in, searching around the interior of the kitchen as if to make sure that the coast was clear. “Darn it!” mumbled a half-audible voice- the voice of Forceps. “ Here I’ve been working like a horse up a tread-mill to force the blasted things, and they haven’t been fastened at all. Now then for the good things of this mysterious house. And I guess Harper an’ I’ll soon have enough to keep us afloat. He sprung lightly and noiselessly over the sill alighting on the floor in a bent attitude an listening before proceeding to advance any further. Just as he seemed to assure himself that he had accomplished this much withouthaving at- tracted any attention on the part of the occuo pants of the house, and as he drew a breath of satisfaction preparator to beginning his inves— tigations, he was start ed in a rather violent manner. “ I think you have gone about farenough, my friend!" . The voice was almost at Forceps’s ear. At the same time a quick hand snatched the mask from his face. He started to spring backward toward, the window. But a vise-like hand griped'his throat, and he saw a transient gleam before his eyes like the gleam from the barrel of a revolver. “ Keep quiet, my friend. I’ve got you. If you give me much trouble this weapon which I ave half inserted in your ear might take a notion to go 08 and spatter your brains out. “ Curse it!” burst from the surprised villain. “ Oh, you may curse it as much as you please. But be wise and don’t tempt me to shoot, for I do assure you that I shall certainly pull trigger if you make the slightest attempt at resistance. In short, you had better consider it a full sur- i’reuder,” was the detective’s cool but determined 8 . “ Well, what are you going to do with me?” demanded Force , sullenly, as he gradually made out the out ine of his captor and plainly saw that any movement on his part might in— deed be attended by disastrous cenm-quences to himself. “ I am going to ask you a few questions, first; and if you do not answer them straight, shall hand on over to the police.” “ And ifI do answer them i” “ Perhaps I shall let you go.” Forceps drew a quick breath as he thus learn— ed that he had a chance to get out of his scrape. “ What is it you want to ask? I don’t know anything that you can want to know.” “ Oh, yes you do." “ We] , what is it?” “ Tell me the whole secret of your pursuit of the girl known as Julia Diering.” I Forceps uttered a low sound that was al» most a cry of astonishment; but the gripe of the detective on his throat tightened, checking the sound. “ Speak low,” he commanded, for there is another waiting at the head of the stairs to come down here if needed. If your words are heard, they may be mistaken for in voice, and then your chances for liberty wi [is over. Answer my question if you want to save your- self from being 'ailed. What is the secret of your rsuit of J u Dieri “ by, who in thunder are you!" demandfig Force astonished beyond measure at t ues n. q “If it will do you any 00d mknow, I will? tell you. I am Mark agic, of Baltimore. Now, go ahead with your little stor ." Force groaned in his soul as he heard the- name 0 the man who griped his collar and who: held him sternl y under the muzzle of that gleam- ing revolver. ' CHAPTER XXI. MAGIC GATHERS POINTS FOR A NEW lusts. " WHY don’t you just march me oi! to ail‘ and stop all this waste of talk?” mumbled or» ceps, doggedly. “You can't let me go, now you‘ve caught me entering a house.” “ Can’t If” “ No, you can’t. You’d be compounding a' felony, an’ I reckon you’re a leetle too smart to do apything like that.” “I: rpu are anxious to go to Moyamensiug, n "NO. I ain‘t anxious rticularl ,” griml answered the burglar, cang to guano bye words to a hoarse whisper, under the recent re- minder from his captor. “ Then answer my whether I'll let you go or not, as I question. and we’ll tee.- said.” 4-. I emf-“*7..- ’,W..- . . vein-er" “ gm... ---'-< _ d- Jaw-v 1' u, i I 2.9 ' Mark MagiciDeteotive. “ Do you really mean it 2" “I do, and will take the consequences. nee, Forceps—” I “ How did you know my names" “ Oh, I’ve been on your track ever since you left Baltimore with that pal of yours, called Harper. By the by is be waiting for you out- side.” . “ No he ain’t. I’m all alone.” "So much the better. You can just say to him when you return to him that your little errand here was a failure, that’s all." “ You talk as if you had calculated thatI was just a-going to up an’ tell you everything you want to know.” “I guess you’ll tell." “ Do you promise me that if I do tell you what there is in the thing about this gal, 'ou’ll »let me off scot clean i” “ Yes, provided you give me your solemn assurance that you will drop her trail ' alto- gether.” “ Won’t do it—so there!” exclaimed Forceps, “with set teeth. “ We’ve followed her too long .an’ been at too much expense to drop her now. I don’t care to rob anybody like the way you’ve caught me trying; it was on’y a case of neces- sity. We’re after big ducats, we are.” “ I give you just as long as it will take me to count twenty to make up your mind whether you will tell me all or whether you Will spend a term in State’s prison. I am counting; so be in .a hurry with your noddle-box.” The detective spoke lightly enough, but For- lceps, an old oflender, accustomed to the ways of detectives, fully felt that there was an unmis- takable resolution beneath every word his cap- ~tor uttered. .“ Hold on with your count," be said, inter- .ceptingly, as Magic proceeded to count in a whis or so close to the other’s ear that each mum uttered seemed like the knell of doom. “ Well, you’ve decided to out with it?” “ This is a fair shakei” “ more and fair!” “ Its pretty hard to give up the wealth we’ve been expecting to get from the girl.” “You’ve heard my terms.” Force 3 had a bright thought just at the mo. ment. e reasoned that the detective had not required anything in regard to Harper. His partner, then, mi ht continue the effort to wrest from the gir the Wealth they were after, without compromising him_ in future transac- tions. For he knew that if once he violated a "fiedge of this character given to a man like ark Magic, he need hope for no mercy if ever ‘in the in 8 brought face to face with the noted «detective in a criminal wag, “ You want to know w at there is for us in following the trail of the girl?” “ Exactly.” t “ Do you know who she is, in the first placei” “Go on,” said Magic, in a non—committing manner. “ Well, where she came from nobod knows -~—leastwise we don’t. Harper an‘ I. 9 came acrost her first in Washington. Harper is a. professional with the cards, an' be was prett well fixed at the time. In some way he ms e the acquaintance of this girl, whowas livi in .a. very quiet way on North Ninth street. ut _. bless your soul, she’s a rather old irl, after all. 5 ‘Her quiet ways were all a blind. he was just ' about: as cunning a piece as evor you struck in ,‘your born days, she was. Harper was very attentive to her—this Miss Beryl Pearl, as she called emlf—and begantothink he had her dead no on him. Ee’d ’a’ married her ri ht off, I reckon, about that time. Well, she et I out just what she was, one night, by pin ing cards with him. She found he was a gambler, u’dpretty well knownabout town, an’ then she no nthe proposition that they open a parlor. See? A tiger-den, you know. Harper was ‘in ’ all the time, an’ they soon had one of the cutest little beck-room in a theatrical location, that over on saw. r fell more in love than worth». p They began to make more money than they know what to do with. I was brought You dntodoalittle geoning. “This here t ug went on for a while an’ thcnshe bron ht, sl of a sudden like, a little “ boy child to he city, which she said was hers. The child had a nurse that seemed to me to be mething‘iike a cross between a mulstto an’ a Indian; a ugly-mugged thin was that nurse. ,‘Harper didn't care for this. a was still full of marry. He had discovered, too, that this tty girl—yde adopted the name of Julia bring—had a it chock-full of diamonds! A small fortune that she kept hid somewhere. “Then Harper was more determined to marry than ever. But the cussed fool got on a spree tone at ht an' let out that he wanted the diamcn Whether it was because he showed his truehand in the little unpleasantiiess, or whether she’d about concluded that she could fit along without him, is something I don’t ow. t any rate, she gave him the fling. ""Hnrper, you know. wasn’t to be so essil bluffed. ‘ He hung around, an’ threatened to 11% some harm to her boy if she didn’t ive him the .-, diamonds. She was going to have im arrested :at first: but he just told her that as sure as she ‘”;-tried that she wouldvhave her throat cut by one of his partners. who was a bloody fellow, for whom the money was ready as soon as he did the job, an' the job was to be done as soon as it was known that he, Harper, had been» arrested through her doing. Ireckon she was a little scared at that. She didn’t stay to do much lighting. She spirited her child away somewhere, an’ Harper an’ I couldn’t never find out where she sent him an’ the nurse. We ,liung around her so that finally she skipped out an’ nearly gave us the slip. But We’ve man- aged to stick pretty close, in hopes of getting her into our clutches, you know, an’ then Harper was to torture her into a confession as to where the boy was, if she wouldn’t tell where the diamonds were, and with the boy once in our possession we could easily do with her as we pleased, for she just doted on the child, an’ 1 know would do anything sooner than see any harm come to him. All we wanted was the diamonds, an’ I tell you straight we weren’t going to hesitate at anything much to get them. Then we’d skip the country. Now you’ve got it—all of it.” “What is this man, Harper, to her!” asked the detective. “ How do you mean?” “ Isn’t he something more to her than a mere acquaintance!” "Not that I know of.” “Not her husband?” “ What are you talking about! I tell you he wanted to marry her, but that drunken spree of his spoiled his own game.” ' “ This is the whole racket!” “ Everything—honor bright.” “Now, Forceps, I want to give you a little advice.” “What about?” _ “Keep clear of the girl in every particular. She’s ‘ wanted.’ ” “ Wanted i” “You know what I mean. You’ve heard that word in your own ears before now when you were wanted. Drop this trail, [ warn you, if you don’t want to be brought into a prom- inence that may place you ehind the bars where you served once before.” “ How do you know I was ever sent up?” “M frisky friend, I know all about it. And this n ht’s little work is your first return to old hub to since you got out; that’s the reason I don’t want to be too hard on you, you see,”- with .a tin e of humor. “And now, one more question. 0 you and Harper believe that this woman who calls herself the Countess do Pull- lier is the girl J ulia Diering, or Beryl Pearl 2" “ We just do—an’ we know it.” “I am done with you, Forceps. You may 0. Mind—do not say a word to Harper about t is affair. And remember: I am watching on, Forceps. Be careful of yourself: try an ead an honest life. Prison cells are not so very pleasant, you ought to know.” Magic released his hold on the other’s throat. As Forceps sidled off toward the window, he observed, however, that the wary detective kept him fully covered by the revolver; any- th ng like a trick wouldn’t work there. In another moment the burglar—considering himself extraordinarily lucky—was making tracks across the garden.’ Magic returned to the African who had patiently awaited him at the head of the stairs, and who asked: “ Ded you catch ’im, sahi” "You must have mades. mistake. Ido not find anybody at the shutters. They are all secure.” for he had slipped the bolt back into its Zooket before ascending from the base- men . “You may retire,” he added, “and before doing so suppose you go to the bedroom door of your in stress and as that there is not the slightest danger from rglars.” “ Yes, snh.” Having dismissed the African, Magic was about to return to his own a rtment, when a sudden thought seemed to stri e him. He made as if to recall the sable attendant. But that personage had vanished around a turn in the broad hall. and the detective paused. “ No matter, he muttered; “ I can do it my- self, I guess, without further disturbing the house. Besides, it will be agood thin to See {whether that rascal has indeed ta on his save. He descended the stairs again and sought the rear door which opened into the garden. Passing out, he stood for several seconds on the top s‘ep, a peering to be listening for some sound off in t e direction of the dense shrub- bery. “It may be that I have given him a good Scare.” he muttered, half aloud, again. "-He’s no doubt taken himself of! altogether. Butothe gate may be c n, and other interlopers might enter. can c ose it in aminute.” He started toward the gate. ~ No light shone from-the house upon the fra- grant garden now; all was gloomy and desert- ed, though the waters of the still plashing foun- tain seemed to catch the sly twinkles of the star-and carry them in d amend glitterings amid the softly falling fip ray. ong the neatly rolled a ". He walked lightly a 4 gravel-we toward the small gate or postern at the far ower end. His Course took him between a clump of shrub- hei-y that was tall and thick. near the arbor, and the darkness was intensified there until one could hardly discern his way ahead. Suddenly there was a rustling to one side. He halted. i And while gazing in the direction of the sound with just the slightest suspicion that the recent burglar might be still loitering in the grounds, something transpired that was very near being fatal to him. From the other side~the side opposite to that whence issued the suspicious sound—there rushed forward man whose shape was like a specter as dark as the darkness from which he issued so swift] . Forward, sw1ft and noiseless he came. And but for a providential utterance which he let fall as he darted at the detective, is it s- sible that Magic would have been done for t en and there. \, In one upraised hand was a club, and a niur— derous hand griped it With a savage strength. “ Now, curse you! I guess you'll be put out of my path, you meddlei:,”_cried the voice of the unknown, between gritting teeth. Like the swift revolution of a springy pivot, Magic turned. As he turned, his faithful blackjack leaped into his hand. ' The upraised hand was caught with such sud- denness and force that the descending club, jerked from the hold of the hand as the wrist met a resistance, went thudding'to the earth.| The black-jack flew out in a spiteful manner. But the assailant dodged. Seein that his attack had been a failure, he wheele and ran, after wrenching his arm des- peratel loose from the detective s grasp. “No just et, my fine fellow l” Magic ex‘ claimed. An then: “ Hal” he added, spring- ing forward toward the spot from whic had come the first sound indicative ofn presence. For another sound there told that a second party inustbe concealed within the shrubbery. This latter party took to his heels With such consummate address that the detective, who pursued promptly, could not overtake him. _ The two intru are reached and sec! rapidly out at the gate and were lost, or idipg, in the adjacent shadows b the time Magic reached the ve and glance around him. . “ hat fellow Forceps again,” he concluded, s eakin aloud to himself. “So it seems that t 9! ha probably not given up the plot to at. fec an entrance into the house, even after the narrow escape I gave the rogue Forceps. And the other, I presume, was his pal, Harper. All right, my birds, I am laying low for you two,\ and you will be run in yet, warrant.” He made secure the gate and, after pausin for a few minutes longer within the shadow o a tree, to see whether there would be any fur- . ther demonstration, turned and walked back to the house. ‘ When Magic reached his own room he was thinking deeply. Forceps was positive in regard to the true identity of the beautiful countess. _ Shemust beJulia Diering—the one who had lived in Washington under the name of Beryl Pearl, under which name Harold Hammond sued, in a lover’s we , for her hand. The sto told him by Julia, about Harper being her usband divorced, and from Whom she was fleeing because of former brutality and present threats, was all bosh—an invention. She was a woman with a variety of names. t Ellie was an adept at the cards of the farm- a 9. She was possessed of a entity of rare dia— moods—as he had learns by overbearing the conversation between the detective. lice ser- Eeant and his messenger at the win ow below is own window. Wh , then should it be_so very im 'ble that she should be the identical Borgia. t ie Faro Queen, for whom a certain Senor Ludoviq was offering a large rewardi He he an to see a little clearer into the char~ acter 0 one who, from his first havin sup- posed her to be a Very beautiful and mac per- secuted girl, was appearin to be in reality a very shrewd woman of t e world, of fertile, expedient and merciless preyfulness upon those with whom she came in contact. Yes, the Countess de Puillier, the girl Julia D'iering, theWashington double of Beryl Pearl and the proprietress of the fashionable gam- ' bling-den, the New Orleans mystery and robber of her husband. Borgia, the Faro Queen—nu must be one, he finally argued. \ ‘Then he settled himself down to working for the vast reward which had been Omar-ed by the Senor Ludoviq for the discovery of the woman who had robbed him, or the diamonds of which he had been robbed. , He smiled grimly as be reviewed the threads of the circumstantial cords he was now weaving ~laughed to_think ,of the mistake the sergeant was making in piping the countess under the sus men that she was in someway connected wit .thered mystery on South Sixth street- It is said that detectives never sleep. es s cs». um. \ .. an-n_.fi_.f... . mm» w‘x},w‘r'..u;; I..L‘ saw»... 2.. eat-c. dawns..." emu. '. «.1. 2r“: «A... I . . . fi .4}... “Jan‘s-.. c . c‘ L". s cs». Hm. \ .. «u-n_.fi_.;.. ~ Mm» w‘g‘hn‘aumu; I..I.‘ an... area-ax... unobtnwgamu. :4». 2r“: «A... I .. . m... “mum‘s-.. s . Mark Magic, Detective. 21 In the case of Mark Magic there was a slight exception. Having to his own satisfaction completely arranged for a new basis of operations, he re- tired to his soft couch and was soon in a pro- found slumber, as if nothing in the world dis- turbed his mind in the least. The only erplexing phase of the case was in regard to ammond. He felt sure that the beautiful adventuress had purpOSely eluded him —even after havinv given him her address in Philadelphia. She had no further use for him. He would have liked much to know what passed at the interview between them on the night when Hammond, direct from his trip over from Washington, called upon her at Mrs. Duffy’s. . At about nine o’clock in the morning he was ast 1'. While arra 'ng his toilet, preparatory to going for his reakfast to the Colonnade, he glanced through the window and observed the countess in the garden engaged in plucking some rosebuds, with which she was adorning her beautiful golden hair in an artleSS manner. She looked Very unlike the grave. merciless woman who, sitting like a love yqueen behind the table of the green baize 0n the previous night, had coolly drawn into her drawer beside her the winnings from Mr. Eimenoff and the young broker. ' CHAPTER XXII. A Lovan's DREAD susraxsn. As Magic looked forth upon the countess, he could not avoid muttering: “Undoubtedly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And strangely, nature has im- parted to her an air of the most bewitching in- nocence, to conceal the claws of the tigress, the ruthlessness of a demon, the heartlessness of an image of stone!” He resolved to see Hammond briefly. He felt no a prehension of losing sight of the countess, and 6 had argued that i any further revelations Were to be made they would be more likely to occur at the car -board, which he knew well enouzh. would soon,'n0w, be in full blast in room 20, after the broker’s experience there. Leaving the house, and after a good breakfast at the Colonnade, he took a downward bound car for the Continental. It was an easy matter to find Hammond. The young man was chafing with impatience to hear from the detective; h s night had been an almost sleo less one. He was in t e reading-room, occupied with a paper, and anon looking expectantly u at the sound of every footstep that up roac ed the entrance over the hard-sounding ti e flooring. At last he saw there the Southern~looking gen- tleman.- “ Ah!” hastening forward. “ You have come at last.” ' “I have come as soon as it was convenient to do so. Let us go to your room this time. I have no time to stop for a maneuver at chang- ing‘ this disguise.” hey entered the elevator and ascended to Hammond’s room. The young man cast the aper which he had been readin on the table a ter closing the door. Magic ha advanced to the table to seat him- self, and his.eyes accidentally rested on a large, flaring heading of type in one of the columns: "A STRANGE STORY! “ CAREER OF A REHARKABLE’ WOMAN! “ S'rxn'ruxo SEQUEL so A Mvsmr!" The same heading that had been clip from an article in a New Orleans paper an sent to Mark Magic by his chief. And below followed a reproduction of the article verbatim. “That‘s a novel account,” remarked- Ham- mond. observing that the glance of the detective was fixed momentarily and interestedly upon the item. “You oug t to read it up. he mystery is hightened, for I noticed on the regis- ter of this hotel this morning the name of Juarez Ludoviq—perhaps the identical Senor Ludoviq of that article.” H P) “But that has com arativel no interest for me, as you know,” ammon continued. “I want to know about Julia. Have you found out anything new?” 1“ Mr.tlgartnmond,rlt think I have a rather un- easau u yto orm toward on althou h it is reall a frisn‘d‘l one.” y ' 3 gym: icanithe ’ ‘ t s n relation to the oun lad u n abomjou have so wholly bes¥owe§ you¥ ago- ons. , Hammond poled slightly. “ You do not mean to say that you have dis covered somethi‘pg which ma tend to prove that Julia was r lv murderer?!” “ No, I do not. 0 the contrary. I have al- most convincing proof that she is at this mo- ment alive and well.” The color came back to the lover’s face—a - color of feverish anticipation. “ Well?— Well? Tell me, Mr. Magic. Do not keep me in this continued suspense. I must know something definite, or 1 ear my nerves will give way.” x Magic was silent for a few seconds, looking strai ht into the other’s eyes. He was probably weig ing whether this lover, so full of a con- fiding ardor, could bear the revelation that he had resolved to make to him. The result of the brief and searching gaze was that he determined to go about it in a different way than at first thought of upon leaving the hotel of the countess. _ “ Do you think,” he said, slowly, “ that you could continue to love a woman who very plainly does not either love or care for on, and whose life is rather a questionable tissue of romance?” “ What do you mean ?” spiritedl . “Do not become angry, ’ the etective cau- tioned, calmly. “Remember you have emplo '- ed me in an official capacity. If I cannot taik plainly with you without your getting into a sssion, I shall simply drop the matter right mm, and let you go on in the best way you can.” “Pardon my tone. xneanin .” “If fundoubtedl show you that you are wasting your affect ons upon a woman who is not worthy of third, will you abandon the case Proceed. Explain your as you have given it to me? I wish to save you from,an error that will cause you lifelong re— gret.’ ‘ Hammond was upon his feet, staring and flushed. “ Mr. Magic, what can you mean? You must have a deep meaning, else you would not dare to speak thus of the one woman in all the world whom I hold dear.” _ “ I haven meaning. I Will not say anything more, as I see-_—” I “Go on” urged the other. all. My eaven! what am I about to hear?" and he an striding to and fro, overwhelmed with the hint thrown out by the cool detective. “If you will consent to control yourself en- tirely, not give wayto an excitement what- ever under a little ordeal mean to put you through, I will convince you that the girl, the woman, known as Julia Dieting, is not a proper person for a young and upright person like yourself to bestow an honored name upon.” Hammond clinched his fists and paused before the s aker, almost laring at him. “ hat are your iscoveries’l" - “I prefer not to name them, but to show them to you, that you may fairly judge for yourself." “ What am I to do?” “ Enter the presence of the woman.” “ When?” “To-ni t.” .‘I Where”, “In aden of taro, of which she is neon—if you know what that means,” came lke slow thunderbolts from the detective’s lips. W'ith a deep groan, Hammond sunk into a chair, crossing his arms upon the table and bow- in0r his head. liar full a minute silence prevailed in the room. Somewhat hardened though he was by long professional service with the world, the detec- tive felt rather sorry for the young man; but he signed with himself that he was simply sav- ing ammond from sacrificing his heart upon an altar that was after all no more than an in- fatuation, and moreover it as a mercy to do it for the two reasons that Hammond had no ri ht to love the woman because she already ha a husband living' and because she was unfit to be the possessor 0 his love. The remark that a Senor Ludoviq was at that moment in the city of Philadelphia served to strengthen his belief that the countess was the beautiful adventuress of the article in the papers: her whole life and all her stories, to im and to the young man, and in fact to any one with whom she came in contact, were tis- sues of falsehood artfully contrived and ver apt to deceive by the seeming straightforwa - ness with which they were told by the red, pearly-backed li ‘ Hammond loo ed up eagerly. “You could have no object in wounding me intentionally,” he said, hoarsely. “That is not at all likely, Mr. Hammond. No, I am honestly trying to save you from yourself.” ' "I give myself and actions into our hands. Do as you please. I will obey w atever you shall command, if—if you can prove what you say you can.” ‘ can.” “ Instruct me.” “I shall disguise you so that she will never recognize you. Together we will enter the place where this beautiful witch—for she is scarcely less—presides. It will probably re- quire your strongest exercise of nerve.” v “You will find me usual to the occasion,” was the quick response, w th compressed lips. A short conversation further ensued’bstween them, in which the detective arranged for him to enter the house of the countess as a guest and “ Say it-say z ..\ ledger and one addicted to the habit of fre- quenting the taro-table. Then he left the young man, with the under— standing that together they would see the coon-- fess that evening. Magic returned to the mansion on Chestnut street. He confined himself to his room until after- noon. when he again sought the Colonnade for his dinner. Eimenoff and the young broker and the broker’s partner had also engaged to take meals at the hotel, and occupied seats near Magic, be- tween whom and the rest were exchanged nods of courteous recognition. After the mea , all repaired back to “The Bachelors’.” “So we shall have the mutual honor of ma- dame’s favor this afternoon, it seems,” remark~ ed the Russian-looking Eimenofl', addressing the young broker. “ In what way I?” “ Why, are not you and I to drive out with her!” “I was not aware of it,” in some surprise. “I invited the lady to drive with me to Fair- mount.” _ . “So she informed me, and insisted, as she would go. of course, in her own carriage, that I should be one of the party.” I “ Indeed!" This was a disagreeable astonisher for the love-stricken broker, who had anticipated_an afternoon alone with the wondroust beautiful being who was exercising over him, though she . might not_be aware of it, the influence of an enchantress. He said nothing, but Magic, who had over-- heard, saw that he hit his lips until they nearly bled. . The countess appeared to have made up her mind that she would do nothing to bring about a feeling of rivalry among her guests in con- nection with hersel . . She would only consent to drive out if so— com nied by more than one gentleman, so that there would be a party to make the occa— sion more reserved. And under this arrangement, her own magni- ficent turnout came around to the door at the hour of four o’clock, and Eimenofl and the broker, gallantly vieing with one another in air tention to the countess, assisted her to her seat, when the three were driven away by the liveri- ed lackey and his companion man. It was nearly dark when they returned. Magic did not witness their arrival; he was en ‘oyxng a cigar in the flowery arbor. he arbor was but a few steps from the gate through which Harper and Forceps had eflected an entrance on a former occasion. As he lounged idly there, he saw Mr. Eimen- off approach the gate and open it, after a glance around as if to make sure that he was not observed. A man entered, stepping duickly a short dis. tunes 4 away from the gate ate the screening growth of the bushes. v Securing the gate again Eimenoff joined him. “ Hardly any dan er of the countess pounc— ing upon us,” he sai and the words came plain- ly to Magic. “ She’s retired to her room to change her driving habit. The note I sent you from the park was sent while Iwas ordering juleps for the party, which I insisted upon doing while we halted for a space at the pavil- ion oon near George’s Hill. This woman is a shrewd one if ever was. .She knows her busi- ness at docs tion thoroughly. She has told me a remarkab e story of her husband, the count, their travels in Europe and so forth. She is on her guard to a dot and a ready inventor.1 I have given up the hope that she will either be tray herself or lead me up to her accomplice in the murder. I must proceed differently. .She must be arrested and chargbed directly with} knowledge of the crime, pro ably then she Will be fri htened into' a confession. I shall go throng her private rooms to-night whilezshe is engaged dowmstairs with her guests as is her custom. If I can find the velvet belt that held the diamonds, we will have a int that egray bring her to terms. as it can identifl by two witnesses who knew it to be in the posses- sion of the murdered girl. Lath sugges- tions before the chief and bringime word to mty course. lwill see you at t a ter dark.” . The man departed with these hurried instruc- g tions. Eimenoff turned to re-enter the house. when" i a hand fell on his elbow detainingly. ’ CHAPTER xxm. ' A mason ARRIVAL AT “ma nacnmns'.” ', 3 meorl' was considerably astonished. He had feltassured that no one was near the spot upon which he had interviewed the messen- ger from detective head-quarters. " ‘ Recognizing the Southerner, he said: “ Ah, you rather surprised me.” “ A word, Mr. Eimenon'.” ' :Certainly, sir. Happy to obligf.”.” Sergeant,” said Magic, abru a . I think the time has arrived when it we (1 Judicious for you and I to become intimately acquainted.” issamsp ce' 22' Mark Magic, Detective. “ I don’t exactly understand,” protested Eimenoff, raising his brows at the address of “ ser eant.” “ en I will explain. In the first place, you are really a sergeant of police on the Philadel- phia force—” , “ Eh! What’s that?” broke in the other, star- ing with well-assumed astonishment. “ Come, sergeant, what is the use in you and I playing at opposites one with the other.” “ You say I am a sergeant?” “Of course.” “ Well, that’s good— ha, ha! A sergeant. And pray, who was your informant? Who gave you this really surprising item i” “ The man on were just now conversing with. Do not b ame him, though,” Magic added, hastily, as he saw a frown gather on the other’s brow. “ He did not do so knowingly. I over- heard your conversation with him at your win- dow 'esterday.” “ he deuce you did!” burst from the ser- geant. who realized that if such was the case, there was no use in playing the comedy of de- nial. “ Will you please look at that?” and Magic handed him a card. The card bore the name and announcement: “MARK MAGIC. “ MARSHAL’S OFFICE, “Baltimore, Md.” “ You are a detective i" H I am.” “ Then I shall not endeavor to conceal myself from you.” extending his hand. “ The time has come when it is real] impera- tive that you and I, sergeant, shoul become acquainted. I say imperative.” “Why do you say im ratiVe?” “Because you are a ut to commit a very mt blunder that will result in your losing a arge reward that might otherwise fall into your ocket." ‘ . “ hat’sit all about? Speak out, Mr. Magic.” "I heard you just 110w say that you were about to close in on the countem under the sus— icion that she was concerned in the murder of he 'rl on Sixth street—” “4 ut just let me relate the circumstances, and you will surely agree with me,” broke in the se eant. Mn c in turn interrupted: “ on are about to make a reat blunder. You must not do anything at all ike what you are now intending.” “If you heard what I said to m subordinate, you know my lan to be tofrigh’ten the wom- an by confron ’ng her with the belt that con- tained the missing diamonds, and which can be identified. Do you not think it will work?” “ edly not.” ‘i‘ “glint is your reason for disagreeing on this p0 nt “ The best in the world.” And leaning closer, Magic said, in a lower as: “The Countess de Puillier is that very same girl herself—the girl supposed to have been murdered l” For a space the sergeant was dumfounded. Then he aflected a laugh of incredulity. “ You may laugh, said Magic, gravely. . “But let me inform you I have been on the track of the woman ever since she left Balti- more. She is the girl, Julia Dierin : she is more than that; and I can give you a ew int- ~ers that will open your eyes before am thrOugh. If you proceed in what you have in- formed your subordinate is your immediate in- tention, you will kill the reward that is even ‘now in the market for bigger game than the mere unmasking of a masquerader, which would be the Only result to year plan. We are brother detectives. I candidly confess I would not let you into a great secret which I bold, but for my having discovered that you were about to break the whole thing up by your precipi- tancy. If an will come to mv room, I will ‘ve you t whole case, provided that it is dorsde that we share alike in whatever tame or money may accrue." “ Agreed l” exclaimed the sergeant, who at once saw that Magic knew full well what he was talking about. ~ The two repaired to, the room of the Balti- more do ve. A length conversation ensued between the 1 two also be. It was fully dark before the sergeant emerged from the conference with his brother of the profession. They fully understood one another; and at r the moment the sen nt was one of the most ' Iu’r rieed men ima nable. e hurried to keep his appointment with his subordinate at the garden-gate, having as- sured himself that the countess was en Ivith entertaining several gentlemen in the par— Ol‘l. As Magic was descending the stairs, he heard voices at the front-door, and saw there, be- }ieatali the electric lights, a «strange-looking ‘ em 6. / She was attired in a garb of Gypsy arrange- ment. She carried a child in her arms. Her face was decidedl of a Gypsy or mu- latto cast, or perhaps 0 an Indian darkness, wherein two brilliant eyes were directed upon the sable usher who had confronted her as she started to make her way deliberately forward alon the hall. . “ have come,”she said, in a sonorous v01ce, “ to see the Countess de Puillier.” “ Yes, ma’am, but de countess am engaged, ma’am, jes’ at de present time. Ef you’s jes’ kem back yarh ’bout some time to-morrow, ma’am, l guesses she’ll maybe see you—” “I wish to see the counteSS now—at once!” said the woman. And after another of those piercing glances at the African she said, drawmg a ring from her finger.” “Take this to her and say to her that the owner is here.” The ring was something to dazzle the eyes of a beholder less susceptible than the ignorant African. A heavy hand of chased gold, mounted with a large emerald, around which were double rows of small diamonds that glowed and spark Ed, under the electric lights, like a thing of re. Of immense value it Certainly was, and t a sight of such a jewel in the possession of t e woman seemed to have a quick effect 11 on the man, who took the rather strange baubfia of in- troduction gingerly between his fingers, placed it on a salver and hastened into the parlors. Magic remained standing on the staircase. Here was a development. The nurse and the child—both Julia Diering’s accordin to her own statement. It hard y seemed likely that two women—the countess and Julia Diering—should have, wrapt up in their lives, a child and a nurse, both absent under peculiar circumstances, and both of the children males. , Hardly two minutes elapsed before the sable attendant returned, saying: “ De countess say you’s please foller me up de sta’rs to her room, ’ with a bow, for the recep- tion of the introductory ring had been followed by the command. “Show this comer at once to my own private rooms, and say that I will be with her imme- diately.” The Indian-faced being passed on up the stairs, following the African. . Magic caught a glimpse of the child in her arms sufficient to show him that it wasa boy and that the youngster was fast asleep. He continued on into the parlors by the rear door, observing that madame just then emerged by the door toward the front of the hall and hastened up the stairs after her strange visitor. . In the room of the countess a tableau present- ly trans ired. Ente ng swiftly, she hurried to the side of the woman, crying: “ Barbara! Barbara! faithful one! you have come'” n “”I obeyed the letter, mistress. Here is Wil- 6. “And oh! is be well?” bending over the sleep- ing child tenderly, ashe lay out e lounge where the woman had placed him. “ He is well.” “ Be at home, Barbara—lay of! your things. Remember, my home is your home always,” said madame, without looking toward the wo- man, but seeming to be absorbed to the depths olf1 .lhjer soul with contemplating the sleeping c l . “I thank you, mistress.” In an impulse, madame leaned and imprinted a kiss upon the pure li reposiug there. The child moved res lessly. “ It is best not to disturb him,” observed the woman, lowly. “ He is tired with traveling. I lost no time when you said to me to come. am here.” “ Oh, Barbara, if you could only know how I have longed to see and press to my heart once more this precious darling!” “I have guarded him well, mistress.” “ Ah, I knew you would.” “And your summons came in very good time.” “How, Barbara?” “ I have disposed of the last one.” . “ The last? You have gotten rid of every diamond!” it Yes.” “ And the mono , Barbara?” “ Is safe—here, giving her waist a significant ta . P‘ Surely you could not carry so much money about you as I know you must have realized from the sale of the diamonds?" The woman smiled. " No, but in a belt which I wearare drafts on the banks for great amounts.” “ You are expeditious and cautious. Barbara. You shall have our reward, never fear. But let me order re reshments for you. I know you must be very tired and perhaps hungry.” There was no objection to this. And summoning her servant by a touch upon a little knob at one side of the room, madame ordered a bountiful repast to be prepared for her strange visitor. While waiting for its coming, and after a lingering glance toward the child which she seemed anxious should awaken, madame went to the woman’s side, seating herself and taking the dark-skinned hands in her own. “ I have had much of trial since I parted from you and Willie,” she said, wearily. “I have been pursued, haunted, by the two men who you remember were connected with m ' estab- ishment at Washington. And more: i found a detective on my track, keeping so close that I grew alarmed. At a favorable moment I made as if I had resolved to commit suicide. Vie were on the boat when I noticed that he was shadowing me. I ran to the rail of the guard and made as if I would have cast myself over- board. He stepped in, as I anticipated he would, and revented what he thought to be a mad deed. y object? To delude him. I suc- ceeded. His sympathy was excited, and I easi- ly invented a tale ora rt of one to keep up the delusion. He still ollowed me, however, and it actually seemed that he had taken a sym— athetic interest in me to save me from the men feared. To carry out my deception,Imet him during one night and told him a. tale that was partly true and partly false, and pointing to the man, Harper, as my divorced husband. My object was to get him off my track. In this I succeeded, for his sympathy grew un- bounded. Then I carried out t e plan I had at first conceived. I had taken a situation With a woman who keeps a millinery shop on a street in this city; my object in that was to try and throw my pursuers off my track. But then, when Ifound the detective so close—and'his object I could only guess at with apprehension, in regard to my husband, you know—I con- summated another scheme by which I believed I could escape borh the detective and the men who were so persistently on my trail to secure Willie and through him a confession from me as to the hiding-place of the diamonds. Look at this, Barbara,’ and she bared one of her beautiful white arms to the woman’s aze, pointing to a wound over the great blue vein at the hollow of the elbow joint. ' The wound was not {at wholly healed where she had evidently bled erself. “What is it, mistress?” “ With my own blood I had to carr outa dsce tion that has startled the city for t e past few ays. My blood I smeared over the things in the room I occupied with the milliner; then I fled in the darkness of the night. The detec- tive I have eluded; but my enemies—ah, I fear I have not yet done with them for they con- fronted me in my garden here only yesterday.” CHAPTER XXIV. “ I WOULD STAB HIM TO THE HEART!” THE words uttered by madame to the Indian woman reveal that she was indeed the mys- terious Julia Diering of the earlier part of our narrative. » And had madame know that at the very moment of this little speech of revelation there were other ears than those of the woman listen- ing to what she said, she would probably have been thrilled to her soul’s center. Madame‘s room was at the extreme back of the upper hall, where a single long, heavily- curtained window, with the curtain dragged artistically aside on burnished holders, opened on the view of the garden scarcely three steps from madame’s door. At the Very instant that she ascended to see the stranger who had arrived with the child, the Russian-looking Eimenofl was entering the house from the garden, where he had been to see and reinstruct the subordinate who was to meet him there. In such a manner as to cause no other obser- vation than that he was probably seeking his own room, Eimenofl ascended the stairs also; but -he tip-toad toward the door of madame’s reom instead of toward. his own chamber. He had caught a brief glimpse of the Indian Woman and her burden. He was at the door, his ear bent to the key- hole when madame summoned the servant and gave the order for refreshments: the convenient osition of the curtains at the hall window af- orded him a concealment until the door was in closed. All that the countess said was distinctly over- heard by him as be pressed his ear close to the keyhole. At the end of the sentence which closed the last chapter, he heard the servant returnin with the waiter of refreshments, and sli peg quickly out of sight again behind the curts us. Placiu‘g herself, the waiter of jellies, fruit, cake am wine before the woman whom she had addressed as Barbara, and for whom she ap- peared to entertain an unlimited “manner”. the countess resumed, waving her companion in the feast: “ Yes, I think I have eluded the meddlesome detective, who might have learned too much of my affairs had I not completely thrown him oil’ the scent for awhile so that I could rfect the little plan for my disafgearance. _v two ene- mies—that Harper an orceps, you know -—un- ,\ i . i 1 l 3 3 g1 afa'l‘um "m‘ I‘. . a true and honorable man, and for whom I 4 Mark Magic. Detective. 23 dertook to browbeat me in the garden yester- day, when I quietly held them at the pomt of my revolver, determined to show them that I was no longer to be bullied. And I say it to you, Barbara, that I would no sooner hesntate at killing one or both of them than I would at shooting a mad dog that might cross my path with his jaws open to bite me.” “ Right, my mistress. They are the scum of the worst on the earth; it is better that all such should be wi away. You Will do well to shoot them i they molest you any more. Do not flee from, but face them—face them boldly.” “ Such is my intention.” The woman was eating heartily. While she listened respectfully to the words of the beauti- ‘ ful woman whom she called mistress with en- dent pleasure, however, there was an apparent look of anxiety in her swart face. Her looks and actions were as if she had some- thin on her mind, to speak which she was wait- ing or an opportunity without interrupting the ‘ countess ru ely. “ Everything is very grand about you here, my mistress,” she said, sipping the delicious ‘ wine slowly. ‘ “Ah, Barbara, you know I was always I accustomed to luxury, until that tragic time: when we fled from New Orleans.” _ " Nothing is too good for you, my mistress.” And the woman added, after a second‘s ause: “ Why should you not shine as the brightest star among womenl You are beautiful, vigor- ous yet, and you have seen enough of the men to prevent your ever tying your soul and bod again to one of them, I am sure. Is it not so?” The countess sighed. “Perhaps my lesson should have been suffi- cient, Barbara, but I fear I am not wholly im regnable.” arbara elevated her black eyebrows in sur- rise. p “I had thought that your heart had turned to stone, my mistress!” she said, half-inquir- in ly. % And I imagined so too, Barbara. But there has come one into my life whom I know to be have dared to permit myself to feel an attach- ment. I am'treating him rather cruelly at the resent moment; but it is because I am driven to it by necessity. Had I not eluded him also, I might have gained an unpleasant notoriety by being forced to apply for a divorce from the lunatic who made my previous life so miSer- able. My only safety, my only repose, is to be found in utterly concealm my true identity, 1 which could not be done if sou ht to divorce ...a matter, though, that I coul easi y accom» lish _under the circumstance of the senor’s insanity. So, alas, I endure another thorn in my checkered path-L” ‘ My mistress,” interrupted Barbara, hesitat- ing‘lalell l” “I fear you are not aware of all that you should be.” “ What do you mean, Barbara?” “ Do you read the newspa rs?" “Ah, I have not had the time to look at them, I have been so very busy lately with this great house of mine—for I am about to buy it,’ said the‘countess. “ It is as I feared.” “What did you fear, Barbara?” “You do not realize your whole danger.” “Danger?” and a slight paleness overspread the lowly features. But she added. with renewed color: “Oh, I am becoming accustomed to danger, Barbara.” “ You have not met with any so great u that which now threatens, my mistress,” said the woman, mysteriously. “ Explain.” For reply Barbara drew a folded newspager from the ket of her Gypsy dress and hen ed it over With her brown finger indicating a cer- tain column where there was a heading in bold, black type. The lustrous eyes of madame fell upon that significant caption: “ A STRANGE STORY. “ CAREER OF A REMARKABLE WOMAN. “Surname Sitcom. To A MYSTERY." Then, as Madame de Puillier roceeded to read the article which followed t e minent heading, Barbara continued to eat in silence, watching the beautiful face of her mistress. Presently the countess exclaimed: “ Why, this is of m selfl” “ True-of you,” re oined the Indian. The first part was read through steadily and with conSiderable interest; But when her eyes caught the announcement in the portion headed “the sequel,” that the Senor Ludovi was alive. well, thoroughly re- : covered from IS tempdrary insanity, and was then instituting rigorourx measures for the dis- covery of the woman who had robbed him, or the diamonds she had robbed him of, the color ' faded out of the soft cheeks of the countess. , m ' sight any more than is unavoidable.” A startled, hunted loci; came into the bril- liant orbs. “Barbara!” nervously refoldingI the paper and turning a blank look upon er swarthy companion. “ Well, my mistress?” “Who could have foreseen this thing? then, following a trail after me.” “ So I think. ’ “Then that is the true secret of my finding the detective so close. Ah, he must have had a suspicion.” “ Possibl .” “ What is to be done?" asked the countess, with just the slightestaccent of despair. “I have no head for plotting, my mistress. But I can execute the p ots of others, as you have learned. Do you say what we shall do, and 1 am ready to aid—aid with my life!” They looked at one another searchingly for a few seconds. A terrible thought must have come into the brain of the countess, for she said, lowering her v01ce: “ Barbara, sooner than have that man lay his hand on me again I would stab him to the heart !” “And you would be quite right.” declared Barbara, her dusky eyes glowing with a tran- sient fire. “Sooner than see you,” added the woman. intensely, “ again in his p0wer, I would myself drive a nife to his very soul!" “ You would do this for me, Barbara?” “ Ay, twice over.” “Then we must ascertain the whereabouts of the Senor Ludoviq, and if we find that he is de- termined to drag me again back into the hate- ful and dangerous chains he wove around me from the time of our first meeting in London, he must be removed from our path—this time to a certainty !" “liliine be the hand to do the deed if it is best. ' The dialogue between the two was interrupt- ed by a tap at the door at that moment. Going herself to seewhat was wanted, the countess was informed by her able usher, the African that the gentlemen below were asking for madame, the hour being then near nine o’clock. “ I will join them directly," was her message; and returnin for a. moment to Barbara’s side, she said: “ am conducting a game in this house, Barbara, and it is already under fair headway. I shall at least'wait to fleece the fools who come to the table before fleeing fur- ther. For that we must flee from this terrible Juarez Ludoviq, is certain.” “Why did not you be advised by me, my mistress, in the first, and seek a clime far from this unfortunate America—unfortunate for you?” “We will advise together later. Barbara. Watch well over my child, my Willie,” with a wistful glance at the still-slumbering child on the loun e. “ I may not rejoin you until at an hour in t e morning. You will find a couch in yonder alcove: I had it prepared, expecting your arrival. You are not to be removed from He is, Vith this. the countess started from her lux- urious rooms to join the gentlemen who were waiting, she well knew, for the farcrtable to be opened to the anxious layers. While this scene h been tran iring in ma- dame’s rooms. an incident also too place in the grand hall below. The comer young girl who had been en god to play at the lane every other ni ht ha been _ offered an add tional salary by ma ame to play every evening until another performer could be secured to play upon the alternate nights. She had arrived and was on her way to a little dressing-room where her employer placed at her disposal fitting dresses to be assumed during the hours of her em loyment. Near the balustrade, s e encountered the Southerner. With a motion so quick that it was accom- plished before she reahzed what was intended he slipped a missive into her hand and passed on out of the house. In the dressing-room, she read, with astonish- ed eyes: "I promised to be your friend if the occasion arose. I now deem it my duty, under that promise, to warn on that certain events are likely to tran- mlre in t house at any moment which may bring in it into unpleasant prominefice. With the ut- most confldence in your purity. a d desirln to save our reputation from any ble tarnish, I say: eave here without delay. not even stop to see your employer. Inclosed you will and more, I think. than your salary would amount to for the short time you have been here. Do not hesitate to accept it, and act promptly and with secrecy." The missivs contained a twenty-dollar note. In a flutter of excitement the young girl fled from the dressi room and from the house. drawing her/Y atight about her face in a fear that some one on e ‘street might see her com~ ing from the. m} 'ous dwellin . In her heart she felt that the outherner had indeed proved himself a gentleman and a friend by his timely advice; for there entered into her \ . sure mind thoughts of terror at some nameless anger which she was escaping through this ur— gent warning. CHAPTER XXV. THE nonssr DEMAND or two OLD ROGUES. A'r about the hour of eight o’clock of the'even— ing that was marked by the arrival of the Indian woman and the child at the “ The Bachelors’.” there was a caller at a prominent detective agency on North Fifth street and not very far from the mayor’s office. A tall, robust, dark-featured and foreign- looking man who was attired in the most ele- gant mode of fashion. His whole appearance indicated a personage of some wealth. His carriage was that of one completely at ease in any circumstance—a man of the world who could twirl his black and long-ended mus- tache complacently or gaze indifl'erently from the depths of his jetty eyes, in the presence of any surroundings. eI(;Iis voice, when he spoke, was deep and digni- “ I have called. if you lease. to see the chief member of this firm of etectives, if he is in," he announced. “Yes, sir, in a moment." The clerk entered a rear room and presently returned with the request: “ Please step inside, sir. sure.” “ Thank you.” The visitor entered the room in a stately manner. Seated at a side table was a business-looking individual who fixed a pair of shrewd eyes on the comer immediately, while he said: “ You wish to see me, sir? Be seated, please,” indicating a chair near himself. ' “ I present you with m card,” said the caller, ggusing to extend a smal , perfumed pasteboard fore availing of the chair. The detective read on the card: “ J cam LUDOVIQ.” And at once he aspirated, while his shrewd ey‘esAaga'ip settled on his visitor: “ I have called upon a business matter,” said the Senor Ludoviq. “I shall be pleased to hear what it is,” rejoin~ ed the detective: though instantly upon reading the name be recognised in that name the name of the man who was concerned in the romantic account of the diamond robbe in New Orleans and the flight of Borgia, the arc Queen, with the vast treasure. The aflair was going the rounds of the press at a lively rate. “ It is possible,” said the measured voice of the senor, “ that you have heard of me through the article which these newspaper men are ob lishing so widely? I am the Ludoviq o the article. I am in search of the woman Who was and is my wife, and who has robbed me of a million or more in diamonds. I have set the detectives of nearly every city between here and New Orledns to work upon the case—the finding of her I mean; I now come to Philadel- phia upon a similar errand. I have offered a large :reward for the success of the search. I desire that you enter the list with the best talent you have. And if funds are required in advance, do not hesitate to a me of it, for I am well able to pay to a most any amount. The wretch of a woman did not so nearly ruin me as she poi-ha tb ught she would,” he con- cluded, with um and an expression of face that was something between a smile and a snarling curve of the ips beneath the heavy mustache. while his jettv eyes had in them a momentarily ignescent glare. “ Yes, I am posted a little throu h the press in regard to your affair, Senor Lu oviq. And do you knew, I have thought there is aline point to be considered.” “ What is that i” “flan a woman rob her husband—l say, can she “ You will find," declared the senor, in a tone that seemed to grow even more deeply sono~ rous, “ that a woman cannot with im nity at- tempt the assassination of her husban and then rob him of all that he is mated to in the world! If I can but her I wi take an chances of securing my satisfaction for the bulk let which I am now carrying in my head, and which was fired into my brain by her hand. The chief is at lei- And since the "00""? Of my reason and my ' statement to the authorities, it seems that there was one on that tragic night who did see the oc- ‘ currence—I mean my Wife’s attem t to kill me -—but who had the circumstance lotted from his memory by the exciting events at the imme- diate time. vividly. He will testify." “ Can you give me an exact description of the woman?” - “More: I have here her photograph,” and the senor, with quiet deliberatenesashanded over a photograph of the woman, Borgia, the Faro een. Duplicates of the photograph were by that My statement recalled it to him ' ‘ ’ d ‘rmcnaw ','. .. N- xv.“ . ... . la”... n "rum‘CJW'me- ~....—s. ...- ‘3 t 3. 0 .1 . 1 9: ‘15 a: .WfiU'MVuX-v Krasw ’., ,t. _ .omgriw mam .. /'$ . 24 time in the hands of many detective agencies, he informed this firm. The detective studied the features for a mo- ment. “ he was really your wife?” he queried. “ As much so as the priest could make her.” “And, ma 1 ask, did you have any idea that she coul have come as far north as Phila- delphia?” “ i have no definite idea whatever. I am on my way to traverse the whole length and breadth of the land, so stern is my determina- tion to find the would-be murderess." _ “And have you any idea that you Will be able to recover any portion of the diamonds, Which you say amount ten million or more, even in the event of your coming up With her?’ “ I cannot surmise, sir; I am simply in earn- est in my quest. I shall not hesitate to employ the best, the most expensive talent. I Will pay twenty thousand dollars for her up rehension, and I will deposit five thousand do lars in ad- vance for probable expenses at the start.” ‘The detective could not avoid an inward ad- mittance that the senor was decidedly in earn- est if he purposed spending his money in this manner to accomplish the object. O “ Since you must know pretty well the Cir- cumstances,” the senor continued, “ b having read of the affair in the papers—an the ac- counts arc correct, I may say—it is only neces- sary for me to ask whether you Will take a hand in the matter?” ' “ 0b, of course, we will not refuse to lend our aid in the case,” the other hastened to say. “ But have Ition discovered, or have any others whom you ave engaged, anything that may prove a clew to this tra i?” - “ I have no communication with those I en- gage after engaging them. I leave my check with the understanding that I do not wish to be dragged hither and thither to see whether certain discoveries by the detectives are or are not reliable. When the woman is found—posi- tivel found, and there can be no doubt of it—I can eapprised by telegraph, and then I will visit the scene of the arrest. The reward is ready as soon as I set my eyes upon her. Iask no more than that—to set my eyes on her while she is bein held b the authorities. For I tell you she wil never , released, once I confront her.” “ It looks as if on seek in re to revenge yourself upon her t an to. soon the lost dia- monds,” ' remarked the detective. “ Perhaps. I will not say.” And the senor added, in a slow, business man- ner, producing a check-book: “ Since you agree to work for me in the mat- ter, here is the maney I say I shall leave to in- ' augurate the chase," and be filled up the check \ for five thousand dollars. i “ Where shall we communicate with you if, we are successful 1” “If you will glance at my card again, on will observe that my address at the city of ew Orleans is there. I had them prepared for the purpose. Do not communicate, I repeat, unless all possible doubt is removed as to whether you have the right woman in your power. I have no time to waste; every hour is devoted to this, my life object. I leave the city to-night for New York, and shall there place other agencies at the work. Thence I go to Boston.” “Our work, then, is only to be confined to Philadelphia, as I understand it?” “You understand aright. And now I will bid you good-day.” The senor arose and stalked in a dignified way from the private oiiice, being accompanied by the detective as far as the outer door. . Hardly had Senor Ludoviq taken his depar- ture when there were two new visitors at the , a ency. he clerk came upon his employer just as the latter was going out to ascertain as to the gen- uineness of the check that had been so lavishly handed OVer to him before he had even at- tempted any work on the strange case of Bor- gia, the Faro Queen. “ Two gentlemen to see you, sir.” “ Send them in.” And into the private omce walked Berry Har- per and his associate rascal, Force . . “ How do you do, gentlemen. bat can I do for an?” . T 0 pair were attired in new suite, though of, ' a cheap quality, and presented a rather genteel ap nos. :- took it upon himself to state the ob- ject 0 their visit to the agency. “The question’s, just the other way, I reck- on,” he said. “I am a-going to ask whether on wouldn’t like us chaps to do something andsome for you?” “Well, I don’t knew whether I would or not,” was the response, as the detective’s keen " gees read pretty well the character of the man moment he began to speak. And he interro ated: “What is your siness with moi” “0h, we’ve just rifled the trumpest racket ever you heard of i” exclaimed Harper, with a beaming face. _ ‘ ’ “ You have, eh?” “An’ I reckon we’ll live in clover with the money for awhile," panned Harper, with a Mark Magic, Detective. variety of sanguine gestures, while Forceps grinned complacentiy. “ Oh, you’ve just got out of 'ail, eh, an’ are going to make a bi haul as the rst start in an honest life. I am g ad to hear of your prospects, gentlemen: you deserve encouragement—‘ “Jail!” broke forth Harper, with a splutter of dis ust. “No, we haven’t been in any jail. You nn’t know what kind of an insult you’re puttin’ on us. We’re on a lay that’s to turn out a full band for both of us—a pile of mono ; an’ you’re the man who’s going to put up t e ducats.” “ Indeed l” exclaimed the detective, easily. “ Yes, we want ten thousand dollars for our share. We give you the racket and you do the work; but we want half.” “ Oh, you want half?” “ That s it.” " Half of what?” he asked, surveying the cou le with some amusement. “ Vhy, half the reward.” “ You are hot after some reward, eh?” “ We are, I know —an’ don’t you for et it.” “ Oh, I shall certainly remember t. But, gentlemen, please elucidate a little. This is all a conundrum to me, you see;_ in fact you two are a pair of conundrums, for that matter. And as I really haven’t much spare time on my hands sup so you come right out and tell me what it's a 1 about.” “Why don’t you come to the int with the gentleman,” suggested Forceps, w 0 would have preferred to eXpedite matters, as he did not ike—the old rogueI—to be there under the keen eyes of the sleuth who was aching all the time to bag just such fellows as himsel . “Ain’t I a-comin’ to it?” said Harper,.a little truculently to his companion, and adapting his manner of speech to the rather coarse habili- ments of his person. “ I reckon I know my business in this here thing. Wasn’t it me that first had the idee?” “ Yes,” admitted Forceps. “Well, then, you hold your month while I put it plain to the gentleman.” And turning to the detective, he said: " You’re the head of this detective house, ain’t you?” it I am.” “ Don’t you pay for valuable information!” “ As a general thin , yes—if it is valuable.” “ I've got the value 1e article.” “ What is it?” “ The price is ten thousand dollars." “You hold your information at a modest figure.” “ ’Tain’t a cent mor’n it’s worth.” “ Well, what is it?” “ You’ve heard of the woman called Borgia, the Faro Queen i” “The Faro Queen!” uttered the detective, a little astonished. “That’s what I said.” “\Vell, what of her?” “ For ten thousand dollars right down—placed in my hand—this here band, do you see iii—I can show you just where to lay your claws onto the woman, an' no mistake I” As Harper made the surprising announce- ment, he s apped one palm on the other, to indi- cate exactly where the mom was to be de i- ted, and gazed straight into t e detective’s ace. CHAPTER XXVI. cavsmxu AN IDOL or LOVE. THE chief of this particular bureau had, in mind, set down his two visitors as old “ timers." He was too experienced, however, to pass idly by the words of Harper, which so emphati- cal y asserted his ability to lace the detectives directly on the track of the unted woman. “ Oh, pshaw l” he exclaimed, with aflected incredulity. “You fellows have been reading about this thing in the papers, and you just have a sort of an idea that you have struck right on- to the heroine of the romance—” “Hold on—hold on. You’re ’way off, you are,” broke from Harper, with a wave of his hand. “And me an’ my pard ain’t to be bluifed into iving you any broad hints, don’t you for- get t lat." “ You really believe you have got the woman down fine?” “ Knowing is believing isn’t iti” “ Haw do y’ou know it ’ “ Oh, of course, we’re going to up an’ tell you all about it,” said Harper, with a leer that brought one eye completely to a close over his side-cocked n . “Come, com if you have such information as you say. you have, of course we’ll pay liber- ally for it—say a few hundred dollars.” “Pay what?” and Bar r leaned forward. with one palm spread be ind his ear, as if to catch a repetition of the words more fully; while Forceps gazed disgusted] at his rtner. l “We’ll be w liing to paya cw hun dol- are. “ All right. There’ll be a man along here by and b , I reckon, who will be aching for to give you t e information we can—an’ nobody else can, mind—and you can drive a bargain with him. The price s ten thousand dollars.” “Suppose we hold you under the charge of s secreting a criminal?” the detective suggested, with a nod. “Oh, we ain’t quite so green as you imagine. You can hold all you want to: but don’t forget that we’ll make you prove the charge, an we’ll make you sweat in the end,” he added, boldly: “ for We ain’t a-holding any criminal, we ain‘t. \Vhy. bless your nodule, she’s just a-dashin‘ it round town as braZen as a hose to a park phaeo ton ri ht under your nose.” An Harper demanded, with an air of im- portance: “ Is it a go? Will you pony up the ten thou—" “ No, old man, I won’t.” “ That settles it. Come, Forceps.” As the pair started promptly toward the door, Harper turned partly around without pausing, and said: “I reckon we can easy enough raise the riflle on this trump racket with some of the other (is tectives that the papers say are on the track of the woman. For I.tell you, we can place the hand of any detective p ump on her shoulder inside of half an hour, We can. So good-by to on, an’ when you see somebody else advadin’ in an’ scoopin’ the ducats that you’Ve 103%.“),- I know the reward is double that—yon can scratch your head and hire a man to kick you around town for a jackass, that’s all!” The detective half-started from his chair to resent the other’s impudence, though hitherto he had been simply amUsed b the pair. . He did not in the remotest egree credit their assertion that they knew where to find and cap- ture the hunted woman. His chief reason for thus thinking was, that had they really knowu what they claimed, why did they not themselves step in and gain the whole reward, without pausing to divide it with the detectives? The truth was, though it mi ht never have been guessed by any one but k Magic, the mode- of procedure was accordin to Forceps’s. request, after he had acquaint his partner with the result of his attempt to rob “ The Bachelors‘,” notwithstanding he had. been warned by Magic to say nothing of the matter. This much Forceps ventured; and then he ac- cepted the plan proposcd b Harper, who had read the papers and f‘ tum ed ” to_ a pretty clear suspicion re ruin the identity of the countess, to offer t e in ormation to the detec- tives. Thev never for a moment doubted their ability to drive a quick bargain and had plumed themselves in advance. Rather in advance, it- a peered! They went out from t e detective bureau in a humor of combined anger and disgust at their failure. “ But we won’t give it up that way, will we, Forceps?" ‘ “ Right, we won’t," agreed Forceps, as they entered Chestnut street and moved westward. “ We might as well jump this town, then, an' tr to make a bargain further South. I reckon w en the detectives learn down there that they can just slide up here an’ takethe woman right from under the noses of the Philadelphia de- tectives. we won’t have much trouble scooping in that ten thousand.” “ But I say, Harper, isn’t ten thousand a little high ?” “ High lie blowed! Soon as I saw in the afternoon paper that this Senor What‘s-his- name was offering twenty thousand, I decided , that half was none too much for the informa- tion we could give. Why, if it wasn’t for the warning you got from that man Magic, I’d step in an’ gobble the whole caboodle, I would—” “ Yes, yes," Force hastened to say. “ We must do it through t e detectives. I’m afraid of the man Magic. If he finds me a-doin’ of this thing when he warned me, to quit fooling after the girl, he‘d make it cussed warm for me. I'm n-thinking, and nary grab at all at the reward would I get.” . I And thus talking upon their affairs, the two made their way ami ' the blazing lights of Chestnut street. When Mark Magic left “ The Bachelors’.” after giving the note of timely warning to the oung irl, as we have seen, he straightway sought t e Continental Hotel. ‘ A quick glanCe around as he entered the s cc before the office counter showed him that ar— old Hammond was not there. He appeared to be pleased with this fact. Advancing to the counter, he said: " I desire to see the Senor Ludoviq.” “ Ve sorry, sir, but you are just too late.” “Too ate?” “ Yes, the senor’s trunks were sent off for New York this afternoon, and be settled his bill here a half hour a 0, giving up his room and saying that he woul not return but seek the depot after attending to some bu new.” Mag c glanced at the broad face of the clock. He saw that there had been strain for the north timed to leave at about five minutes be-~ fore his arrival at the hotel. ' . It wasa slight slip, for he had Intended to iBnterview the senor in regard to the woman, orgis. He knew that he had Borgia within reach of \ m...- ..-........~.r-.~,- V e . , _, .r a ."‘. a - \- (0 r. a . \- . A 3. A5,, , ‘_ V . . .r f “‘“"“ M‘ "" “‘H ' ""5 . ‘y \_ J (0 r. 1| his a: m at any lilUillv‘lil 'u.- Siluui‘i t':l~.".:'.‘ stretch his hand to grasp her. The reward of twenty thousand dollars was ‘ his—if he could have seen Senor Ludoviq before his departure for New York. "I hardly think any other will find the wo- man,” he consoled himself by thinking. “ Mean- time, I might as well carry out this little pro- gramme with Hammond. Entering the elevator, he ascended to Ham- mond’s room. The arriva But beyond this evident impatience, there 'was no sign of nervousness in muscle or fea- ture which the detective discerned after a keen glance. “ Are you ready?” he asked. “ All ready." ' “ Come, then; we will not lose any time. I expect the ame has already been 0 ned by this time. 1 ave arranged for your disguise at .a lace on our way there." be two hastened from the hotel to acou— ‘tumer‘s on Tenth street above Market. Emerging from here a short time afterward, Hammond was completely disguised, and Wear- ing, besides the foreign-cut garments, a dense ‘ board of an agreeable auburn color. The made their way to “ The Bachelors’.” As agic had anticipated, the parlOrs below were almost entirely deserted, and he was pieascd to notice that the young pianist had evidently taken his advice and left the danger- ous environ. Leading his companion up the broad stair- case, he approached room 20, and knocked in a si naling way. he door was opened by the black usher, and they stood in the almost dazzling blaze of the faro~room. The den of the tiger was there in full blast: “the beautiful tigress, with her claws of velvet and merciless heart, was manipulating the fatal cards scarcely raising her lustrous eyes to see who had come in to make an addition to the rather large number who were engaged at the ame. g Her idea had not been erroneous. During that day several new lodgers had ar- rived for “ The Bachelors‘ ;” many of them were intimate friends of the young broker, who had initiated them into the secret of the palatial lodging-house on Chestnut street. and the fact of its beautiful proprietress being the most beau- tiful woman in Philadelphia. One or two had retired from the table to the sideboard, and there was a chink of glasses there where the sparkling wine flowed free] . The African presided at this particular fea— ture, and almost the firstle woro Magic heard, as he came into the room arm in arm with Hammond, was: ‘ “Yes, sah: all right. No change, sah!” , They advanced to the table, where some were sitting and others standing. Quietly progressed the game. . . he eyes of those who played were divided between the beautiful being dealing the cards and their bets on the deceiving table: their heads were turned or turning, and the silent countess, paying or taking in the bets, seemed to hold them in a thrali that was as a mesh of terrible enchantment. Magic glanced at his com anion. The great auburn bear which Hammond ‘wore concealed his face but in his eyes there was a look of starin horror such as the detec- tive had never, in al his experience, seen in hu- man eyes before—a stare that dwelt on the counters wide and unwinking. " Do you guess who she is?" asked Magic, leaning and whispering in Hammond’s car so lowly that no other could possibly hear. And the answerin whisper came: “ Great Heaven! )W can it be? And yet it must he she! It is my Julia—it is Beryl Pearl!” “ ’Shl Not so loud. But what of her hair!” “ That cannot deceive me. It is, as you said at your first intelligence to me of this abomin- able part she was assuming, all false. Ay, false as she herself is false—" “ Hush, I say! You will attract attention.” The young man seemed to arouse from his partial stupefaction. Another feeling. a feeling of repugnance for the woman, despite her Wondrous beauty, crept over him. Within his breast arose a mighty struggle. He fought to cast out than and there at onco ' and forever the enchanting image that had formed the idol of his love. Ah, it was a terrible stru 10: not so eas to banish an aflection such as y ishad grown to be. For, while his manhood cried to him to re- l fiounce all that was in him for her, there rung deep down in his heart a bell-like voice that 2 waiied: . “M love! My love! My love!" He eaned again to his detective companion, whispering more guardedly than before. “Tell me—do you not think that I havo been a fool indeed f" , “ Oh, I cannot say so. S on have only been deceived. that’s all. And besides, there may be some explanation for all this—" it to out- young man was impatiently awaiting his ' ' ly levelinga linger toward the crowded table. "For this scene of vicious wickedness, where p the once fair idol of my heart is seen with my I own eyes duping, betraying, robbing the gulli- ‘ ble and rash-headed scions of proud families. No, no, there cannot be any excuse for it. I ‘ hardly know whether to thank on for having i opened my eyes to her born pe dy or to blame ' you forsoshockingly having broken my once 1 delicious dream." He Mcame fascinated while he riveted his gazes ain upon the woman whom he knew in his ac ing lover-heart to be his past idol of worship. . Each movement of her tapering fingers, each I Silent gesture of the beautiful, proud bead, each | glance from the lustrous orbs as they roamed . or transient instants around upon the little as- : semblage of players, containeda something that -seemed to sink deeper and deeper into his l shocked heart the stab that had smitten there 1 upon the first discoverv that confronted him in l i that mysterious room 20. “ Make your bets, gentlemen," said the melo- ; diously-lnw voice of this serene and lovely wo- l man, who occasionally deigned a smile at some player who was so fortunate as to win a bet. And Hammond whis red to the detective: “ Yes, yes, it is she— er voice could never de— ceijs me if all the rest of that wicked disguise cou . Then that strange and suspensive, silence again, as the cards slowly, regularly, fatefully came sliding from the si ver box, tellin their tale of loss or gain~~ to the cardoma deued votaries. ' \ .‘Sluddenly there was a commotion at the ta ) e. ‘ ” Come, come, old fellow, that's enough. What's the use in your sitting here and seeing your whole fortune melting away from you so foolishly! Come, say. You’ve played cnough—" “ Unhand me. Isay. 1am my own master. I shall play as long as i see fit—ay, as long as that-lowly dealer is tlierel"'answered another voice. rather loudly, and causing several to turn their glances momentarily upon blui.’ it was the young broker. Thousands had gone from him in the short time that he had occupied a place at that fate— ful table. But he played on, and on, and on, heedlessly. He was thoroughly bewitched by the glorious lOVelinr-ss of the countess: her silence, her graceful attitude as she sat there taking the money from himself .and others throug the ever one-sided working of the game, seemed to increase the passionate fires in his soul, of which he had apprised his artuer. Madly, wildly he rew his check for a large amount and handed it homes for more of the round and tempting ivory chips. “As long as that lovely dealer is there!" he had said. But, though the glances of the players turned upon him in a little surprise, not a muscle of the countese’s fair face moved, she did not raise her eyes: the game went on under her fingers so magically sliding the cards from their silver box. . CHAPTER XXV“. HARPER AND rtmcnrs cmam' “ LEI-‘1'.” “PLEASE make your bets, gentlemen,” said the even. musical voice of the counts». A hand tugged at the sleeve of Magic. He saw the disguised sergeant detective look- ing into his face in a way that plainly said: "I want to s ak with you." They steppeifibward the sideboard. - . The African, at a word from the Russian— looking Eimenofl, proceeded to prepare two handsome juleps. While this was in progress. Eimenoi! said, in a tone that could not reach any other than that of his brother detective: “ You are right. ” “ Right—how?” . “ in rr'gard to the woman." “ lV'-mt have you discovered that‘is new?" E lilr'llOlf related what he had overheard through his eavesdropping at the door of the countess‘s private room. “She has completely confessed her identity, though she was not aware of having done so," he said, in conclusion. “ And you really heard all this!” “Every word as I have narrated to you.” " Then i will exchange information." “ What have you discovered?” “ Something that it is strange you did not know before.” “ IV at is it?" “Th Senor Juarez Ludoviq has been in Phila- '. delphia for several days.” ‘ ‘ The deuce he has !” “ He was stopping at the Continental. I went there to see him only this evening, but he had i left for New York.” ; “ One of us should pursue at once—" 5 “ A moment,” broke in Magic. “1 would do i so, and we may do so, but I have a little matter ‘ tofix straight here before I leave that young . i as ‘17 _, I 3 ,4 Mark Magic, Detective. “ For all this!“ interrupted Hammond. sly- I 25 man you see there standing and interested in the rogress of the game.” . “ 'oung man?" as the sergeant looked in vain for the party to he supposedly designated par- ticularly. “ Yes, the man you see with the auburn board is in disguise. He is, or was aiover of the woman when she masqueraded under an- other name. This is a new and stunning revela- tion for him in connection with the woman he loved. As soon as he is satisfied, and has re- solved to give her up for good and all, then we will take our steps. I do not think he is any longer enthralled by her wondrous charms. This night’s sight-seeing will be enough for him, beyond doubt—” At this juncture there was another commo- tion at the faro—table. The young broker started from his seat. and his hand reached to the bosom of his shirt. “ I have still this left!” he cried, as he tried to wrench from the button-hole a magnificent dia~ mond stud. “ Give me more chi . I paid five hundred dollars for that stud. ore chips!" His partner had a hold upon his arm, a re- straining hold that was endeavoring to drag him away from the table. “ Entwisle, come away! In Heaven's name, man, haven’t you lost enou h—” “ Ay, every dollar I have in the world. But let me alone. Luck must change presently; and you know I am no novice at this game." “ Come away. I say.” The hand that was held over the stud was grasped by a hand that was determined. “Let my hand go,” was the almost fierce ejaculation. ' “Entwisle!” and there was sorrow and beg- ging in the tone. ‘ “Let me alone. I am my own master. Let me alone, I as l” ' He released himself and dragged the glittering bauble from his shirt-front. _ But a ain the hand of his anxious friend clasped him by the arm and a voice that was full of pain began to beg of him to desist in his madness. Throughout, the countess never raised her glorious eyes. it was the moment of a fresh deal. Under her snowy fingers, ,the cards were being shuffled with an even, ratchet-y sound; her mien was as calm, as icy as if she was but an automaton. But from the red lips came the words, calm as a summer's Zephyr: “ Gentlemen, so much noise disturbs the game. I trust you will be kind enough to de— sist." Into the box went the cards, and again came the silvery voice: “ Please make your bets.” . The young broker wrenched himself free from the friendly gripe that was deterring him from , further hazard. v ' And in the same moment the enormity of his losses seemed tostrike with tellin elect upon his brain, for he started toward t door stag~ geringly, crying as he went: “ Ruined Z—ruined !-ruined !" His friend followed. But the sable attendant was before. He slipped his arm into the arm of the half- blind, half-delirious player and assisted him from the fatal room. More, he held upon the am until he had shown the man the door which, in his blind frenzy, he seemed unable to find. Then westward along Chestnut street sped a des rate form. n, on, the oung and ruined broker. The lonely river of a car that was crossing the bridge over the Schuylkill a short time thereafter, saw a man clamber upon the stone‘ balustrade of the bridge beneath the brilliant gas~lamps that rayed there. ‘ For one moment he was visible. The driver took a quick turn around his break with the rains and started to intercept what was to his mind an evident attempt at suicide. .. He was too late. Out on the night air wafted a terrible cry. The form disappeared over the balustrade into the black a yes below, and a silence that told of death prevailed. Then the tinkle of the lonsl car-bell sounded again, and the drzver knew t at some unfortu- miteh had gone to a violent and Self-inflicted dear . ' Meantime, the game in room No. 20 at “The Bachelors’ " went on. as if nothing had occurred to mar the quietuie or the assemblage there. It was, an on the previous occasion. an early hour in the morning before the game stopped. The countess, with an immense bag over her arm, bade her patrons an renoi‘r, standing be— fore the green-covered table that had wrested sevoral thousand dollars from the players dur- ing the still hours of the night. .-' - I Eimenolf and the Southerner were the first to eave. “ What shall be our lanl". asked the former, who felt that the Bait: ore detective was the leader in the matter. . Iwill see you after daylight pnd arrange,” .. . . , «anew-s... cars)..— - .M‘. m--‘~“- ._ ~.—_,......-- mm. ~ «rs-w .-- e v 26 Mark Magic, Detective. was the reply. “ I have to see my friend off,” as he motioned toward the disguised Ham- mond, who was following them along the upper hall. Separating from Eimenoff, he joined the youn man. “ ell, are you satisfied a" “ I am satisfied,” was the reply, but the de- tective detected a eculiar intonation to the words which it was Impossible to fathom. At the (1001' they parted—Hammond to re~ turn to the Continental, the detective to return to his luxurious room. One by one the unfortunate players sought their rooms in the abode of “The Bachelors’," all wiser men for the night’s experience. The countess was alone, save the presence of her sable attendant. The African advanced to her and, after a cautious glance around, to make sure that they were alone, said: “Mist’iss, dar’s somethin’ a-goin’on ’at isn’t all ri ht.” “ bat do you mean; Isaac?” “I dunno, mist’iss. I isn’t much at supposiu’ I arg‘iriment. I on’y kn0ws what I s’pects.” “ ell, what do on su ct?" “Dar’s somethin atween them yarh two men w’ot kem heyar as a Southe’n man an’ as a Rus— sian man.” “ Ah?" The countess started. Perhaps her own keen eyes had disCOVered something to excite a suspicion in her mind; but this took no tangible shape until this mo- ment in which the ignordnt African seemed to have conceived the same idea. " Day‘s. been atalkin‘ at de sideboard, mis- t’iss, when dey doesn’t-'t’ink I was a listenin’. I knows dey was a-talkin’ ’bout you, an’ de feller w’ot was a-standin’ by de table an' wasn’t a- playin’. Unhunh! He was ’guised, he was.” “A man in disguise?” “ Unhunh 1” “And what did they say, Isaac l" “ Somethin’ ’bout a man named Lud‘viq—” “Ah!” again from the red lips of the count- em. And she said, with utmost composure: “ It was only some private conVersation, Isaac. It means nothing. I thank ion for your watch- fulness, however,” and wit which she swept out of the room, leaving him to extinguish the burners. A startled look was in her face. thou h. as she hastened toward the room where the ndian woman, not yet gone to bed, awaited her com- ing. Entering here and carefully closing the door, she exclaimed: “ Barbara. I am afraid the detectives that my terrible husband has set upon my track, have come da rously close." “What as happened, my mistress!” “ There has been a conversation in the farc- room about the Senor Juarez Ludoviq.” “ How did you learn of it!” “ Through my faithful attendant there. The poor,i orant fellow was not able to tell me much, ut he evidently heard enough tomake it an object for him to tell me that hmsrgosed I had enemies, in the shape of disg per- sons, loitering near. I di not stop to ask im for iculars.” ' “ our attendant was not wrong,” said the woman. . i “ What do you mean, Barbara!” demanded' she, suddenly. “While you havo been gone, my mistress, I have for a moment left the rooms. I picked up this per In one of the lower rooms. Look at the (you see directly under my finger.” S e be] forth a paper. Hadame took it and lauced at the marked pafsgnph, which was he item of hotel arri- va 3. The paper was two days old. She saw there the name of Juarez Ludoviq as ' an arrives at the Continental Hotel. ~Her face sled momentarily. Then, wit a flush of feature, she said: “ Since we know. where he is, we must act.” “We must act,” supplemented the woman, significantly. The train that steamed out from Broad and Prime streets, to make a connection with the New York train south, contained our two worthies, Harper and Forceps. They were destined for Baltimore, where they arrivad at an early hour in the morning— four o’clock, for that matter—at which time the Monumental City is generally wrapped in a desolate appearance, from the eastern to the ,, western section. They went to Guy’s; but there was no sleep for these two precious rogues, who had deter- mined that, if they could not get money from the hunted woman in one way, they would get it in another. ide awake were they, and indulging in free tatiuns at the bar as they waited for the morning to openits business-hours at the City As Big Sam struck the hour of lei ht they started forth with a confidence that t cy were i i l I | l soon to reap a great harvest from the important information they were able to give. At the office of the police-marshal. however, Harper assumed an elitil‘el different air from the one‘ that had marked his entrance into the 3 private-detective agency in Philadelphia. He dofl'ed his hat in avei'y respectful manner, and was imitated by Force .. Both knew well the quic disposition of the Baltimore authorities, and that they would not be trifled with, to the slightest degree, in a. matter of business. “Well, gentlemen, what is it!" inquired the ‘ marshal, politely. “We’ve come,” said Harper, with a forced control upon himself, “to ask if you or your officers want to haul in that twenty thousand dollars that is offered for the apprehension of the woman who robbed the Senor Ludoviq, of New Orleans, of a million of diamonds?” At the moment of the entrance of Harper and ; Forceps, there had been a person in conversao tion with the marshal—a man who wore a‘ slouch hat, and who evidently was on very familiar terms with the marshal, for he had not removed his hat: and under the rim of the hat were a pair of very shrewd and dark eyes that ‘ bent on the comers, as their owner moved his chair back to give the visitors a chance to ad- , dress'the oflicial. “ X on know, of course. about. the case?” put ' Harper, before the marshal Could speak in re- ply in his speech. “Oh, you are alludin count of a woman‘hame “ That’s the very one.” "Well, gentlemen!” “You would like to scoop in that twenty Borgia, ch 3" thousand, wouldn’t you? You are ,pnving for; 7 information that is valuable. ain’t you r" “ Yes, we pay for everything that we can use—sometimes more and sometimes less. What dqyou know about the woman?" I know enough to put my hand on her with- ‘ in a few hours.” “ Indeed ’1” “You bet,” here uttered Forceps, involunta- ril . XW'ell, gentlemen, if you can find or ilace in the wer of the police, the person of wgia, the aro Queen. why do you not do so? You will”get a good reward from the Senor Ludo- v1 giarper hitched uneasily in his chair. Forceps did more than this. He had discovered in the party who sat at a short distance from the marshal, the chief of the police detectives of Baltimore—a man who had, two years previous, bagged him for a lar- ceny and seen to his sending over between the trees at Jones's Falls. He was wishin himself out of the office. and averted his hea , as if to avoid reco ition by those keen eyes. “ Well, t at isn’t exactly the shape we want , it in,” Harper said, a little restlessly. “We can show you the woman, and no mistake: but for reasons, we don’t want to figure in the conse- quences. We want to make a bargain.” “Oh, you want to make a bargain?” “Yes. ’ . And after a nudge from Forceps, he added: “ Will you pay as five thousand of the twenty that I know is u for a reward, if We show you exactly where t e woman is, so that you can bag her without any mistake i” s the proposition came forth. the quiet man : who sat near the marshal slipped a piece of , pa r into the official‘s hand. t was a telegram. Instantl u on reading it, he answered: “ I won dn t ' give you ten cents for your in- formation, m friends, and that’s a fact.” “ You wou dn’t l” exclaimed the astounded H? ’3, ‘ 0. “Why, leok a-here.” with a sli ht blaster, “ I can give it to the Philadelphia etectives—” 1 “But we have it already," and the marshal, smiling, waved the telegram before their eyes in such a manner that it conveyed the signifi- cance without giving them the points. The telegram was from Magic to his chief. It announced that Borgia, the Faro Queen, was then under his surveillance to a dead cer- tainty. ' Harper and Forceps glazed for an instant blankly at the smiling o cial, then they gazed at o e another. T iey realized that the telegram so fully yet cautiously exhibited must be from the man they had had all their trouble with in Philadel- phia-the detective who had outwitted them at every turn; and here he was interfering once more with their little plan to raise the wind! A most unfortunate time. too: for. counting upon effecting a bargain to a certainty ith the Baltimore detective force, they had bee rather lavish with the sparse funds on hand, and. their mutual purse then was in a woeful condition. ; Di net. as well as chagrin, was plainly de- pict in their two r ish faces. And the smile of t e marshal seemed to add i gall to 1the barb of disappointment that struck 3 them here on the verge of their last resort. s “I guelis we might as well he, going," sug- 5 gested Harper, nudging his companion. v to the romantic ac- ,' “ Good-day, gents," the official said, quietly. “ \Vhen you have raked up any further infor- mation that is ahead of us, drop around—pleased | to see you.” “You be durned!” growled Forceps, though i not loud enough to reach the ears of the one for l whom it was intended, as he and Harper hur- ' ried to the sidewalk. “ What's to he done now?” he interrogated, in a sort of dismay. “Try a last dod e.” “ Last dodge? aven’t we just tried our last dodge? And hasn’t it bu’sted sky-highu" “ Come along and listen,” and as they went, Harper unfolded a new and bold lot that brought a smile of solace to the faca oPForceps. They made toward the Union Station, and ‘ with the remnant of their money bought tickets for Philadelphia. CHAPTER XXVIII. “LAY YOUR HAND ON HER IF YOU DAREI" EARLY on the following morning Mark Magic arose and descended the stairs at “The Bach- elors’," entering the parlors and apparently ' awaiting the appearance of madame. l Eimencff was not far behind. He made his appearance within a few min— ‘ utes after the Baltimore detective had taken a seat at the window through which waited a sweet perfume from the garden. 1 The sergeant carried a small sachel. “You are all ready, I perCeive,” remarked , Magic. “Yes,Ishall take the first train from the “'est Philadelphia depot.” “ Make your moves quick over there," Magic su gested, “for from what I can imagine of i i this Senor Ludoviq, he is a quick mover. If I you expect to come up with him, you must be ' s r . i “I guess I can meet the case. I know about iwhere such rich bugs as he can be found. Good-by.” The two sleuths shook hands cordially, and the sergeant started awav on his errand to overtake the erratic Senor ‘Ludovjq. Probably half an hour after this, the countess descended the stairs. It was an unusually early hour for her to make her appearance, and Magic noticed that her beautiful face was wearing a rather weary i look. 1 She exchanged a few words with her sable ‘ and omnipresent African attendant who was i then in the hall. i When through, and before she could proceed Howard the basement stairs, which was her 1 l | l i evident intention, Magic accosted her in a polite manner, saying: “ Good-morning, countess.” “Ah, Mr. Gorsuch. You too are up early this morning. I hope you slept well last night, . and that the unpleasant episode of room 20 did i not interfere with your pleasant dreams?” ‘ “Oh, I have seen such thin before, ma- dame. IVs Southerners are u to witnessing | despairing swains like that, you must remem- , her. I have seen men cast themselves headlong , from a Mississippi steamboat at losses not so : large as was the case with our young friend l last night.” J “I hope he was persuaded by my servant, Isaac, to retire to his room.” “And so do i, madame. gaged particular] !” "Engaged? l by do you ask?" Magic was proceeding with a plan he had in , view as if it was the most commonplace matter , in the world. - “ Because, if you are not, I shall be very glad to have a few minutes’ private conversation with you.” _ “And I shall be happy to grant it, Mr. Gor- such,” with one of her sweetest smiles. “But you must first excuse me while I send an order to my rivate kitchen,” and she tapped the hell on t e pillar at the foot of the staircase. The same messenger boy, attired like a senate pa e, appeared. , 0 him, in a tone that prevented Magic hear- ing what was said, she gave an order. As the boy started to obey his instructions, she turned to the Southerner, saying: “ I am now at leisure. Mr. Gorsuch.” She swept gracefully into the parlor. He gallantly placed a chair for her. Before seating herself, madame went to the window, drawing aside the costly curtains to admit more light. The picture of the garden. so Very delightful at the moment, seemed to rivet her for an in- But—are you en— ’ stant, and the fall of the plashing fountain en- tered the room in a whisperv sound that added to the surrounding of magnificence which seem— ed to prevail in every breath that pervaded the house. Taming away at last, and accepting the sent that he had placed for her, she said: "I hope you do not mean to announce your departure. Mr. Gorsuch. You hays not yet finished the week for which you have paid me—” “I do not mean, madame, to speak of any- thing like that,” be interrupted, in a courteous 27 manner. “ What I have to say is, nevertheless, of a business character." “Ah.” Though Mark Magic was a detective—though he was one who had, in all his professional career, been accustomed to coming to points with a short business abruptness, he paused be- ; fore proceeding with what he had to say to this ' | smart as you have thought yourself!" en'rancing Woman. The circumstances were peculiar. He knew not whether he was speaking to a willful criminal; he had no ground for dealing with her in the matter of the Senor Ludoviq in a harsh manner—though he would not have hesitated for an instant had the circumstances of the case required or warranted it. To the contrary, he now—after knowing that he was dealing with one of the most mysterious women who had ever come under hisimmediate notice—desired to go about what he had it SOlved upon in such a wa that if there was a thing more to he learns , he would learn it. He meant to corner her and sift the m stery of Borgia, the Faro Queen, to its very bottom! And as he hesita'eo, drawing a chair for him- self. the countess added. composedlw “What can the business be, Mr. Gorsuchl" “ Strictly in relation to yourself, madame. And 10 begin with, I will clear away a little de- ception I hava practiced t0ward yOu,” saying which, he made an adroit movement which re- moved the mustache. and otherwise revealed that his disguise as a Southerner was assumed. He stood before her in his undoubted person as Mark Magic. the Baltimore detective. . If he had expected to see any betrayal sign of alarm on the part of the beautiful woman, he was mistaken. She simply gazed in an rise. “You have seen me be ore, madame.” “ Il—neverl” she exclaimed. And she added, with a tinge of displeasure: “ Mr. Gorsuch, what does this mean! I re— ceived you into my house as a gentleman. What have you been masquerading here for?” A woman of nerve was she. But she was dealing with an old sleuth. Magic was not to be blufled. “ You ask me why I have been masquerading here?” . “ I do." - The tone of the countess was cold and haugh- t . y“ I will tell you,” said Magic drawing a little closer. “ I have not been thrown off the scent, as you supp059d. When you gave me that part true and part false tale at Washington square a few nights ago. I know you. Julia Diering—I know you. Beryl Pearl—I know you, Borgia, the Faro Queen!” And as he uttered the words, though low and quiet, be fastened on her a look that had on more than one previous occasion transfixed a criminal. A wave of whiteness swept over the face of the countess. “I do not understand you. sir.” “ You deny that you are. Juli-i Diering, alias Beryl Pearl, better known in New Orleans as Bor 'a'l” “ but can you be talking about— ’Sh!” the last as the page entered the room, bringing a morning paper. For after the arriVul of the Indian woman, madame had resolved to See and read the paper regularly. As her lustrous eyes glanced down at the prpmlinent headings on the first page, she said, on m z " r. Goraqu have you taken leave of your senses this morning. or have you not et gotten over your partaking of the Wine in w ich I saw you indulge at the sideboard last night?" “Madame, I am a detective, and you know it——” “A detective l" elevating her glance in as- sumed surprise.‘ “ Yes, and I have followed you from Balti- more, as you also know. But 1 did n0t dream at the outset to what the trail would lead me. You will find me to be a man who thoroughly understands his business. I am about to win the twenty thousand dollars reward that is offered for your discovery by the Senor Juarez Ludovi —" At this 'uncture the countess interrupted by a long an peculiar laugh that checked him. “ What is that you are about to do!” she ex- claimed, merrily. f‘l have stated what I s'mll do. I hope you Will not 've me additional trouble. I arrest you-for know that you are Julia Diering— you are Beryl Pearl—you are Borgia, the Faro Queen. for whom the senor is offering a large reward-3’ Th9 bulb ‘1 gin broke in upon his speech. “ Since 5’0“ now so much, perhaps you ought to kn0w more. I am glad that you have shown me our true proteasion—coward and spy that you are!” with n little fire in the words that came from the red lips-l. “ And I will give you a little information that may surprise even you. a detective. Ha. ha. ha‘." she laughed. almost harshly now. " You have played a amurtgame to nothing. I (‘dlh assure you. From whom W51 you derive the reward for my apprehen- Maifk Magic, Detective. lsion? For I,will admit that 1 am Borgia. the Faro Queen, as you term her. From whom will you reCeive this magnifiCent reward? Ha, lha, ha! From the Senor Ludoviq? Oh, you ; are mistaken! Look at that—” rising and ush- ing the p‘lpel' before his eyes as she utters the last words with an accent that was almost a hiss. “ Look at th .t, sir, and see if you are as Involuntziril y Magic took the paper and cast his eyes over a ragraph that headed the latest morning’s intel igence. .account of a railroad accident that had occur- red to the midnight train out of West Philadel- phia on the night one. The train had ardly cleared the entan le- nient of endless frogs and switches at est Philadelphia when the accident transpired; there were two deaths and several passengers badly wounded. 0f the two that had been killed, one was-— Senor Juarez Ludoviq! 1 Certain papers found on the body of this gen- tleman in icated who he was, and it was sup. posed that he had been either at the time of the catastrophe standing on the platform or was on his way to the smoking-car. He had been killed, it would have appeared, by being hurled from the platform to the ground when the engineer was getting up speed, and his skull had been found to bear sdch neat and recognizable imprint as would have been made by contact with one of the long, acute angle d frogs that there bounded. The countess watched the face of he detec- tive as he read. Her beautiful face wore an expression of commingled derision and d nce. ‘ “ You will hardl collect your reward, sir, I apprehend,” she as d, sarcastimlly, as Magic re- folded the paper and extended it to her with a quiet bow. “ If this account be true, madame, I may not be able to reap the reward for my trouble. But unless I am greatly mistaken, there is b this time—throu h the action of Senor Ludov1q be- fore his deat v—a charge a ainst you before the New Orleans authorities or an assault u n him with intent to murder. Of course, I £311 arrest you to answer to that charge For a moment she paled: thev she was her- self again, saying: “ When you have shown me the warrant for such an arrest—you who are not even a detec- tive of the city of Philadelphia—and when the requisition papers are ready, I will make no ob ection to accompanying you, sir." . agic was being baffled. He had no warrant. In this trai', so very blind at first, he had iiot paused to weigh the expediency of having the pa er in his possession. t that instant Eimenotf, who had started in ursuit of the Senor Ludoviq, came hurriedly nto the entry, valise in hand and strode to the parlors. He had heard a. portion of the speech of the countess. As he came in he said, sternly: “But you will find that I have the warrant, madame!" And turning to Magic, he added: “ Fortunately, the moment I learned from you who it was we were piping, I secured the neccssary document. Here it is.” Then again to the countess, who was for an instant transfixed by this tui n in affairs: “1 arrest you, madame, for an attempt to murder the Senor Ludoviq—” He was Iinterrupted by a striding form that entered the room and gained the beautiful woman’s side. “Lay your hand on her if on dare!” The countess uttered a gla cry. CHAPTER XXIX. ' A raun Lira sncanr. Tins unexpected comer was Harold Ham- mond. Instantly the countess leaned upon him for support, one of her beautifully rounded arms being inserted in his and her other hand rest- in confidiugly upon his shoulder. ammond glared upon the detectives. “You will not arrest this lady, gentlemen, if you will pause to consider for a moment.” “ Whv will we not!" demanded Eimenoff, spiritedly. “ Because your own judgment will show you that there will be no witness against the lady for the crime of which she is charged. The Senor Ludoviq, I see by the paper. is dead— and through no doing of hers. Who, then, will sustain this charge that she attempted his life—when it may be a question whether she really did do as he charged 1" Magic left it for the Philadelphia detective to manage in this little complication. Eimenofl was not to be easily deterred when he knew that he had the legal document in his pocket for the arrest of the woman before him. “ A discussion of the points in the case. sir.” he said. sharply, to Hammond, “ are not in my line. I only say I have a warrant for her arrest, and arrested she shall be. I This paragraph, with a flaring head. “as an i l [evidence that she did not attempt to commit ' murder, while there is a direct charge to that efiechw “It is a lie!” exclaimed another voice from the doorway. l Barbara, the Indian woman strode forward. I‘ her black, bead~like 9 es flashing upon the two l men who confronted t e countess. “ A lie, I say, and I can prOVe it.” Even tho countess stared at Barbara at these ‘ words. l “ My mistress did shoot the senor." she said. “ And the pity is that she did not kill him. If you once knew her history, you would extend to her the right hand of friendship instead of ’ trying to be her rsecntors, and say, with me, I that the senor we 1 deservad death at her hands. , Listen—hear me swear to you—~that my mis— ‘ tress fired to kill the senor in ure self-defense! { For had she not been asquic as she was. she 3 would have been herself cruelly murdered by i him on that night in New Orleans !” and as she I made the assertion, her beady’ eyes were filled with a marvelous fire. Turning to Madame de Puillier, she said: “ In this pass, my mistress, why do you not tell vour whole and truthful story l-—” “ We’ve had several stories from her, my good woman,” here said Magic, significantly. “ But not her true history—yon Sleuths! Be- hold in her a woman who has suffered a wrong that would have justified the killin of a dozen Senors Ludoviq. Will you hear w at she can tell you, and then judge for yourselves?” “ How are we to believe an hing from the lips of one who can invent a istory as fast as she can speak it?" suggested Magic. Here said the countess: “Gentlemen, if you will hear me, I will speak the plain truth and nothing but the truth. As this woman—my faithful servant says-4 should be willing, after that, to learn a 'udg- merit of myself to your own minds. Wil you hear?” . Magic and Eimenoif exchanged lances. Each seemed to be of the same t inking. They would like to follow the mystery of this lovely being to its utmost ending. ' “ I think we will hear what you have to say,” responded magic. “ Be seated, thrn.” There was not now the least excitement in the scene. The countess, still retaining her contiding hold on the arm of Harold Hammond, walked to- ward an easy-chair. The two detectives seated themselves rear, while Barbara took a. positiOn by the side of her mistress in a devoted manner. » “You have read,” madame went on to say. “that the Senor Ludoviq first met me in Lon- don. in a gambling salon, where I presided at the table and was as much of an attraction for the place as the fascination of the game itself. Ah. that is but an invention of the senor’s. I never saw a cardmani in such a manner as in the game of taro, until I unfortunately wedded with that man. “I was no taro queen; I was but a simple and "-—with some hesitation—“ and pretty girl, gentlemen. The senor, during his travels, came face to face with me and conceived a great pas- sion for me. I was then but an humble flower— girl, I swear to you! My parents were very poor, and my father a cripple. The support of the famil era, whic I vended on commission. “The senor made rapid lovoito me, oiftring me, truly and honorably. his heart and hand. I was dauled by his wealth, though I was shy of his offer. suspecting treachery from the first. But when he came straight to my poor parents and made known his desire for an honorable marriage, they at once consented to the suit and advised me to accept. He would place and in this he was true, for bounteonsly. “ We were married. But, somehow, the ac» quisition of wealth did not turn my head; there was nothing giddy after that in my wa . such as might have been expected of a gir lifted comparatively from the streets to a position that lords and ladies might envy as far as wealth was concerned. Instead, there seemed to settle a pal] of dread upon my heart from the very hour in which I exchanged vows with him be- fore the priest. “ This dread was all too soon to have its reali- zation. I had not been married for a lon he endowed them my husband, instead of being a great personage in his own country, cast, and his immense wealth was acquired. and was still being acquired. by robbing people throu h the fatal means of the fare-table. self came to me when he announced one day that it was time for me to begin taking lemons in the career that was to be allotted to both 0,1 us. I was ignorant of his meaning. But be soon enlightened me. He said I was one of the There is no " beautiful women in the kin dom. “WW”, be i a pity I-o let my charms slumber when they ; might be turned to advantage in drawing a depended upon my sales of the flow~. them above all possibility of want, he promised; _ period than a month, when I discovered t at - Brazil. was rather an out: ~ u y mum realization of how i had sold my- ' greater crowd to the tables he had opened in. a... .,.. . ". h e— ‘ ' ‘ ‘ ‘m‘wu . ‘n —.p. -. ‘c.......-.— .n- - v.-.¢ .r- - 28 Mark_"Magic,q__petective. London. I, silly thing! in a halfterror, yield- ed to his instructions, and in a short time was fully familiar with the game. Then he tau lit me how to manipulate the cards as a den er. But the climax of my silently-borne misery came when he declared that he must flee from London to avoid arrest and imprisonment. My name had already begun to figure in the gam~ bling salon. The discover of my being assist- ant to the villainous proce ings proved a death- stroke to my aged parents. "After that, life became a sort of desperate existence to me and perhaps I entered into his wickedness with reprehensible readiness; We came to New Orleans. Here we began the career that ended in his death—a death that, as this woman says. and which is true, as I hope for future salvation, was brought about through my defense of my own life at the time. “The senor, I had long noticed, had grown tired of my charms and, after shadowing him, I discovered that he was enamored of a Creole in that city. I said nothing, but secretly won- dered where it would end. I observed that at times he would regard me strangely, and once overheard him mutter that he would sooner or later find a means to get rid of me without the assistance of the courts. I became alarmed. I urchased and carried over after that a re- lia le weapon which was never absent from my pocket, and which I placed convenient to my pillow at ni ht. I reall believed that the razilian d gned murde ng me! “I was not wron in my suspicion. On the night that the terrible scene occurred in the salon where I was dealing the cards, I saw a de- moniac expression come over his dark fea- tures. He gave a hurried glance around at the combatants. Then he drew a revolver and turned upon me with a look I shall never for- get. He hissed exultantl ': ‘Now then, I can be rid of you forever on nobody the wiser in this scene!‘ He was cocking the revolver and in another moment would assuredly have slain me. But I was too quick for him. I had my own weapon out in a twinkling. It was a self-cocking revolver. As I drew it, I fired, hardly pausing for an aim; but the bullet, I think, entered his head, as the account in the papers says, which you have read. “I believed that I had killed him. I find, having first gotten together all that we mutual~ ly possessed n diamonds—a method of invest- ment we had adopted upon first coming to America. You now have the exact circum< stances of the case, gentlemen, and, ah, I am so weary with this everlasting life that has been a hunted life, that I am ready to do what- eVer you require. Take me to New Orleans if you will: I am weary, I say-I want to be either dead myself or released from this in- cubus that makes my life a misery by night and by day—”‘ ‘ "'But, madame,” said Magic, as she paused with the sentence seemingly half-finished, “if you only had a witness to the latter circum- stance—the act of the senor whicli‘maile you do the shooting, as you say, in self—defenSe— then it would be an easy matter for you to clear _your9elf of the charge wholly.” “There is a witness!" All eyes turned upon the Indian woman, who '.'had uttered the emphuticwords. “The witness is here—in me!" she added. “ I—I saw it all i” The declaration was a surprise even to mad— ame. “Ah,” Barbara continued, “I too had seen , those black. looks and threatening scowls upon the brow of the Senor Ludoviq. I was deeply attached to m mistress, who ad ever treated 'me with gent eases and favor. I was watch- ing, though shezknew it not. I was at a panel door, not five feet behind the senor when that scene of combat took lace in the gambling. room. I had a weapon eveled at the senor, to kill him before he could kill in beloved mis- tress. But she was quicker, an i breathed a fervent thanks to Heaven that she was saved through her own action in time. To this I can and will swear.” Still Eimenofl' would not wholly relinquish the case. “ You sa , madame, that you are willing to go ttoNew Or cans without putting us to the trouble of obtaining a requisition t" “tram.” And as Hammond would have uttered a sharp objection, she added, with a gentle pressure up on his steadying arm: “ Nay, Harold, it is best. Do not lace any impediment-in the way of these gent emen. am not crushed; I am not fearful at all. What [have said is true: what Barbara has said I ~ know must be true also, for Barbara would not lie. I believe, even to save my life.” “I would not lie,” exclaimed the woman, im- passively. And thus it was arranged that on the ensuin night the two detectives, with the beautifu woman, should take their departure for the South. and for the scene of the tragedy of a yeai ast. p Hammond expressed his determ nation to accompany the woman for whom h 3 love had flamed out despite all that he had learned and all that he had seen to at first cause a waver in ' his fidelity toward her. “When you are free—and you must soon be so," he had said, “you will not do this any more, Beryl? I mean that you will banish f0i-- ever from your life this—this horrible business at the fare—table?” “ Yes, Harold. For it has been no more than a part of the desperate career that I have been forced to live since the time when I fled from New Orleans and the man who sought my life. I will devote in self all to you and to your love, dear Haro d, if you can still love, still take me, after what you have seen and learned of me.” “ I" love you, Beryl; through all, I say I love you. During the absence of the countess, “ The Bach- elors’” continued its legitimate business under competent managers, which she was fortunate enough to secure on short notice. At the end of a month she was back again. It had not required much to prove that she had done what she did in Self-defense: and the part who had been found by the wily senor to testi y that he saw the woman, Borgia. deliber- ately fire the nearly fatal shot. confessed that he had been bought to give such testimony. Fortunately for him, he was saved the grave ofl'ense of perjury: indeed, he made a clean breast of it when a hearing was held in an in- formal manner in regard to the case. And are she set out for her return to Philadel- phia, Ber l Pearl—for that was her proper name—h arranged satisfactorily to soon take formal possession of the residue of her husband’s wealth in New Orleans, which was consider- able. Mark Magic, before be separated from the couple who were soon to be wedded. to report briefly to his chief, received from Hammond the reward promised for the finding of Julia Diering. and he parted from them with the most friendly feelings on both sides. Einienoff would have been somewhat “left” had it not been for the fact that Magic gener— ously shared with him what he received from the young lover. The Baltimore detective returned and re- mained in Philadelphia to attend the wedding. which was to transpire at “The Bachelors’ " with considerable pomp. Every vestige o the faro paraphernalia had been banished from room 20—indeed, from the house altogether. Into the life of Beryl Pearl had come at last a succession of sunny happinesses, and her beau- tiful face seemed to gr0w more beautiful than ever in anticipation of the night so near at hand, when she should confide herself to the keepiii of an honorable man whom she had dearly oved throughout. The eventful day—the eventful night—ar- ved. Magnificent before, “The Bachelors’ ” seemed to acquire a wondrous appearance on this occa. sion, when Hammond 8111 the lovely Beryl Pearl were to be united in marriage. Musicians were present, and their instruments filled the parlors with grand strains, that wafted out n n Chestnut street like sounds from a sleepi y fairy-like realm. T e guests of the house, which by that time had every room taken, and others of their friends whom they invited. filled the spacious rooms below, and ronienaded expectantly in the hall or chatte subduedly at the vine-clad windows. Then. when the exact moment arrived, all eyes were riveted upon a being of almost un- earthly grandeur, who entered on the arm of an invited friend to meet the groom before the holy man. An impressive service was read. The two Were husband and wife. Then were thrown open the great doors of the adjacent rooms, where a banquet was spread that might have tempted the palates of t e gods. , The upper portion of the house was totally deserted. Alone on the lounge in the private rooms of Beryl lay the little fellow, her child, sleeping soundly innocentli, while this scene of happi- ness and mirthful ilarity prevailed below. Alone and unwatched. And there came a peering face at the long window opening on the short balustrade, where the old vines, tough and strong, grew high from the ground. Following the face, a form; and then, on tip- toe, a man leaped into the room. It was the ex-bu lar, Forceps. He cast quick am searching glances around. going to the door and eVen looking along the brilliant hall toward the landing at the head of the broad stairs. , No one was near. “ A clear coast this time!” he muttered; in satisfaction. “ And now for the prize. ‘1 on will find. woman.that we are not to be so easily depriVed of our may as you "11381094" He unwrapped from around his waist a long, slender and strong ro . ri Then he produced in broad plaster from his pocket. ‘ 3 Gliding forward to the lounge, he paused for ~ just one moment. In the next instant, he had slapped and pressed the plaster tightly over the child’s mouth. The little fellow roused from his peaceful slumber thus rudely. stared up with terrified grbs at the wicked-visaged man who bent over im. CHAPTER XXX. LIKE THE FADING or A VISION. FORCEPS, with a jubilant glitter in his wicked orbs, 103 no time in binding the child’s arms in such a manner that the latter could not tear away the plaster which was our his mouth to prevent any outcr . The eyes of little Willie were turned piteously upward upon the rough man—piteously and in terror. But the ex-burglar minded it not. He had a terrible object in view. Havin made the child secure, and rendered any furt er struggle on his part impossible he took an additional knotty turn upon one end of the long rope around his little captive's body. Raising the child in his arms, he started to- ward the window. “Now, then,” burst from his lips, sibilantly “let us see whether the blOoming countess will not come down handsomely for the return of her child—" “ Why, on haven’t got him yet!" A cryt at was a furious curse broke from Forceps. The quiet words had interce ted him at the moment he was on the point of owering the in- fant over the sill to some one evidently in wait- ing below. ‘Don’t be ‘ in such a hurry to count your chickens, friend Forceps—they are not hatched et! Calm and smiling, Mark Magic confronted him in the doorway. The detective had a gleaming revolver leveled at the villain’s breast with a steady hand. “Carry that child back to the lounge, For- cepshbefore this little pop~gun takes a notion to o o . g The tone of command was one that meant business. Forceps saw that if he hesitated, he would certainly be shot down promptly With an expression of counteriance that was indescribable in its wrath, be complied. He did not, indeed, could not, speak at the in- stant, so overwhelming were the rageful pas- sions of his disappointed heart. “Take that nasty plaster off his mouth, For- ceps, and untie him. Be quick, now.” Again the command was obeyed. Then the rufiian, with a bold desperation, wheeled upon the cool-mannered detective. “ They call you Little Magic,” he snarled, “ aii’ blast me if I don’t believe there must be something magic about you, the way you turn up at the wrong time—” “ The wrong time for your little games, you mean, eh, Forceps? Oh, that’s only my busi- ness, no more. t lends a spice to the variety, you know. Hold out your hands,‘ Forceps.” “My hands?” “ Hold them out," sternly. The villain extended his wrists. Be well knew what was meant. With a quick step forward, and in a light- ning-like adroitness. Ma ic clicked a pair of handcuffs on the wrists o the ex~burglar. “Guess I’ll have to cage you this time, For- cePs-fl ‘ Cage an’ be darned, then. I don’t care i” “ That‘s right. 1 don’t like to see a man take his troubles too much to heart,” rejoined the detective lightly. And he demanded: “ Who is with you. Forceps?" “Ain't anybody with me—can't you see for yourself?” “Oh, come. I mean, who was it you meant to lower that child dawn to below the window ~somebody, you know,” with an accent of mock persuasion. Forceps seemed to suddenly resolve that if he was destined for limbo, he would not go alone. “ Harper’s down there,” he said. “ Under the window?" It Yes.” With his left hand, while he kept Forceps un- der the muzzle of the revolver with his right, Magic had been feelin of the other’s garments, to see whether he on ed any wee m, Depriving him of a revolver which he found in the hip! pocket, he took a firm hold on the Collar of t e ex-bnrglar, saying: “ Come alang with me. now, Forceps, and don’t make any more fuss than the law allows under the circumstances." ' “ You’re a cool one at this biz. anyhow." “ Oh, I’m educated to it, you see. Come on." With a firm hold pn the collar of his captive, Magic started from the room. baAt the threshold he met the woman, Bar- ra. . . . :2 {X i i .. . M...“ ...‘ ........-. V)‘ ' ( . mended, anxiously. and at once astening to H : child, who, in a sort of awe, had not yet be- gun to cry. . “ You came near losing your precious charge by your momentary negligence, my good wo- man, that‘s all. Come on, Forceps]. and the de- tective, with his prisoner at his Slde, left the apartment. Straight down the staircasebe went- But the occasion of attraction was now all in the banqueting hall: no one .was present to ask questions in regard to the singular sight—only one. and he the very person Magic desired to see at that moment. . The sergeant detective. . . “Why, what have you got there?” queried the sergeant. “ A fellow whom I caught in the act of ab- ductin the child of the bride.” AndgMagic explained briefly what had trau- spired in the upper room, concluding With: “ Take charge of him for a few minutes, aer eant. I am after his pal in the garden. ’ urning Forceps over to the stout Philadel- phia detective, Magic slipped quickly out into the garden and toward the spot beneath the windOW of the upper chamber. As he had been advised, here he encountered the man Harper. A short stru le ensued. . . But the Bait more detective soon had his prisoner safe, with the stout wristlets clicked upon his wrists. . “ I think this will about Wind you up, won‘t it, friend Harper!" “ Who in thunder are you, anyhow i” “ Mark “agic, at your service. I have had a prett close eye on you ever since the night of our little sparring match on the boat around from Baltimore.” “Curse the luck! I thought from the first— an' told Forceps so—that you were a detective an’ that we’d have trouble from you before we were through.” “A very reliable prophecy it was. Harper. Come ri ht along n0w; vour friend Forceps is waiting or you inside. You two will be excel- lent com ny for one another when we get you to boarding at Moyamensing.” Another and deeply-intoned oath escaped the lips of Harper as he fully realized his prospects for a term in prison. Harper and Forceps Were speedily carried oil to the station-house, there to await the charges which Magic was prepared to make; and it was not long thereafter that his promise of getting them into Moyamensing was fulfilled. The two radians thus melted ignominionsly out of the life of the woman they had hunted and haunted so persistently. Magic remained ion enough in Philadelphia to see to the eonvi of. the evil pair, and then departed for Baltimore, with pressing in- vitation from the bride and groom to call upon them wheneVer he might be in the city. Reporting to his chief after the termination of the rather singular trail, he said: “ You started me out on a blind. Have I earned my wager that I could make a case out of nothing but a transient 'cion 1" “You have, Magic, and have right well earn— ed the reward.” For the Baltimore detective had come back richer by twonty-iive hundred dollars. The myster of the millinery store on South Sixth street a ways remained a mystery, except to the authorities, who were dul and fully ad- vised of the strange history 0 the beautiful woman; and considering the position which was soon to become hers among the hi h social circles of Philadelphia. the detail 0 the ex- planation was never given to the blic. Hammond and his ovely bride on continued “The Bachelors',” until finally, at is urging, the establishment, grown marvelously success- ful, was sold out at a high figure and t ey start. ed for a tour abroad. Just before their departure, a pale. emaciated young man called upon them, and Ber l recog- nized the young broker who had been riven to madness by his losses on that (to him) terrible night. He did not perish, by a miracle, after that wi dplun 9 into the waters of the Schuylkill. He was oun floating downward with the tide by a party in a boat, and when brought ashore life was found to be not yet extinct. He was ten— derly cared for; though for a long time it was a serious question as to whether he Would recover his reason. The experience had effectually cured him of his Damon for the treacherous game of faro. Beril offered to restore the amount he had lost if he could name it. But this he refused to accept. saying that it should remain a monu- ment of reminder to him as long as he lived. Many of the gentlemen from “The Bache- lors’” went over to New York to see the couple off on their foreign journey, and as the massive thin of iron steamed down the harbor, there fad from the gaze of well-wishing friends—— and from you, my reader-the vision of a strangely beautiful woman with a remarkable career. 'rn END. 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Tom Pintle, the Pilot. ' iii" fiddw'i‘ . e v rappers. . The S uaw Spy. . Dusky . . Colonel Crockett. 100. 101. ReillllW. 102. Wild Rube. 103. The Indian Hunters. 10-1. arr-ed Eagle. 105. hick Do lo 100. The Ind an Spy. 107. Job Dean. 10!. The Wood . 109. The Scalped miter. 110. Nick the Scout. 111. The Texrs r. 112. The Crosszd 118. Tiger Heart, Tracker 114. The Masked Avenger 115. The Pearl Pirates. siierrimir . e is v . 118. Cato the Creeenfior no. Two-Handed Lift. )ick. Old Bear Paw. 1%. Kit Bird. 123. The S 124. Giant 125. The Girl Ca 128. Yankee Ep 127. Silverspur. 129. 180. 81. Red Plume. 189. Clyde, the m. 88. Th Lost er Riders. eto. e Cache. gtnnibal CM“. 19". 1 1-11. 42. 113. 144. M5. 146. .—s 1%. 187. 188. 189. 190. 1!‘ i . 192. 193. POCIiET NOVELS. The Mute Chief. Boone, the Hunter. Mountain Kat». 'l‘ln- Red Scalpcr. The Lone Chief. The Silver Bugle. ". (,‘hiugn the Cheyenne . The Tangled TraiL The Unseen lininL The Lone Indian. . The Branded Brave. . Billy Bowlegs. . The Valley Scout. . Red Jacket. . The Jungle Scout. The Ch rokec Chief. The Bandit Hermit. The Patriot Scouts; The Wood Rangers. . The Red Foe. . Beautiful Unknown. ".. (‘anehrake Mose. . llank, the Guide. ' . The Border Scout. ', “'ild Nut. ‘. Maid of Wyoming. ’2 The Three Captives. . The Lost Hunter. . Border Law. . The Lifted Trail. . The Trader Spy. . The Forest Specter. . The Border l'oes. . Border Vengeance. . Border . The Sons of Liberty. Bessie. The Lost Bride. Keetsea. . The Tonkawa Spy. . The Prairie Scourge. . Red Ll htning. . Brave . Night-Hawk Kit. . Mustang Sam. cart. Hurricane Bill. The Red Outlaw. The Swamp Scout. The Shawnee’s Foe. Mohawk Nat. Old J upe. The Prairie Rifles. Old Kyle. the Trailer. Big Foot. the Guide. 101. The Red Brotherhood 195. 1!]; 1!”. W. The Man in Green. Glass Eye. The Prairie Trappers Black John. “Keen Knife. 200 The Mml Skipper. 201: 20.“ an 204. 200. W. 208. Too Young S y .. The Indian Agehger.‘ Rival Lieutenants. The Swamp Rifles. The Balloon Scouts. Dacotah Scourge. The Tv. in Scouts. Buckskin Bill. 20!). Border .. 'wengers. 210 Tim Bumble‘s Charge 211. 212. 213. 214. 215. The Prisoner of, La 216. 217. 218. 219. 220. 221. an. The Sh .wnee Scout. The Silont Slayer. The Prairi‘ Queen. The Back. oodsmen. Vintresse. Peleg Smith. The “'itch of the Wallowish. The Prairie Pirates. The Runner Captain. The Red Spy Dick Darling. Mustang Hunters. 223. Guilty or Not Guilty. 224. The Outlaw Ranger. 225. M. 297. 228. o 288: Massasoit‘s Daughter W. 985. 936. 237. Schuylkill Rangers. On th Deep. lron .. The Mountaineer. The Hunter’s Escape Jabez Hawk. The Mad Hunter. The Reefer of ‘78. ~Antelope Abe. The Hunter's Vow. edge. The Hunter's Pl ‘ 243. Will-o'-the—Wisp. $8. The Boy Chief 211. Dashing Dick. 259. Tim, the Trailer. 245. Old Crossfire. 280. Red Ax. 210. Ben Bramble. 261. Stella, the S y. 2l7. The Brigand Captain 262. The White venger. 263. The Indian King. 261. The Long Trail. 2135. Kirk the Guide. The l’hantom Trail. 267. The A che Guide. 2138. The Ii ad Miner. 2030. Keen Eye, the Range! 270. Blue Belt. Guide. 218. Old Strategy. . Gray Hair. the Chief. . The Prairie Tigers. . 'l‘hc Rival Hunters. '. Th Texan Scout. . Zebra Zack. 231. Masked Messen er. 255. Brethren oi the oast 256. The Bo ' S i '. 271. On the Trail. 257. Table. he raller. 272. The Specter Spy. -—w» Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large es, printed from clear, open t 'pe, comprising t ‘gfiieet collec- tion of Dialogues, ramas and Recitations. The Dime Speakers embrace twenty~iour volumes. v12.: American Speaker. 13. School Speaker. . National Speaker. 14. ludicrous-Speaker. . Patriotic Speaker. 15. Koniikal Slwaker. (,‘omie Speaker. 10. South‘s Speaker. Elocllucut S caker. . Elocutionist. 17. O ‘ ' ‘ . Humorous Speaker. 18. Ha: Lolum in Speak- avg-uteri 7. Standard Speaker. 01‘. _ 8. Stump Speaker. 19. Serio-(‘onuc Speaker. 9. Juvenile Sneaker. :20. Select Speaker. 10. Spread-Eagle Speaker 21. Funny Speaker 11. Dime Debater. ‘22. Jolly Speaker. 12. Exhibition Speaker. 28. D ctS aker. 24. Dime Book of Recitations and eadings. Thesv books are re lete with choice pieces for tho School-room, the E ibition. for Homes, etc. 100 Declamations and Recntations in each book. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages. em. brace thlrt -one books, viz; , Dialogues 0. One. Dialogues no. Sixteen. Dialogues No. Two iDialogues ho. Seventeen. Dialo es No. Three. Dialogues No. Eighteen. Diaioguues No. Four. [Dialogues No. Nineteen. Dialogues No. Five. Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No. Six. Dialogues ISO. Twenty-one. Dialogues No. Seven. Dialogues 1N0. Twenty-two. Dialogues No. Twenty-three. ialogues No; Twenty-four. Dialogues NC. Twenty-five. Eight. Nine. Ten. Dialogues No. Dialogues No. Dialogues No. Dialogues No. Eleven. Dialogues No. Twenty-six. Dialogues No. TWelve. iDialOguesNo.Twenty-seven. Dialogues No. Thirteen. Dialogues No. Twenty-e Dialogues No. Fourteen Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No. Fifteen. Dialogues No. Thirty. Dialogues No. Thirty-one. 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book. Dramas and Readings. 164 12111» Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors Entertainments and the Amo ateur St e, comprisi Original Minor Dramas. Comedy. arce, Dress ece Humorous Didgguo and Burlesque, by noted tors: and Beoita 9n- and Readings. new ind standard. of the m celebrity and interest. Edited byProLAJi. ll, DIME HEB-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. Burma’s Dias HAND-BOOKS iron Yocna P10” cover a wide range of subjects, and are especialb ada )ted to their end. Lad es' Letter-Writer. Gents’ Letter-Writer. Book of Etiquette. Book of Games. Fortune-Teller. Lovers‘ Casket. Book of Verses. Bali-room Companion. Book of Dreams. Book of Beauty. Hand-Books of Games. Handbook of Summer Sports. Book of Croquet. Yachting and Rowing. Chess Instructor. Riding and Driving. Cricket and Football. Book of Pedestrianism. Guide to Swimming5V Handbook of inter Sports-Skating, etc Manuals for Egg-ewes?“ 1. Cook Book. amily y c 2. Recipe Book. 5. Dressmaking and n 8. Housekeeper‘s Guide. linery. Mme ti. “mi. ‘sfimm as n. .— e IiZ--Joh§g3aui Joneifo Vin—iqu Putnam. 111,—)!“ AnthonyWayne x.—-'l‘ecumseh. IV.—Ethan Allen. XL—Abraham Lincoln v,.-Miu-quls de Lafay- XIL—Pontiac. ' ette. MIL—Uh;sz S. Grant. Song Books. ’3 Dun: Sons Booxs. Nos. 1 to 84. contain“. the onlyhpopular collection of copyright songs. elod School loam inmate and Words. Joke Books. Pocket Joke Book. Jim Crow Joke Boon Paddy Whack Joke Book. The above publications for sale by all newsdealerl gaggfitgyttthdiifitEtisstflkaia D g. r ~v.’ ' dawn“; . . .V: vJ“-":— ,. \._ p !_r L __ l 9 - ' o r)‘ l ‘ ila gelliiwtnid Disk. tile PgnrJe 01' Silk; Raul. 8;." r2. 1.. \vhmur. 147 “'m wuth m.- Thumnghbrell. By Chm». Morris. 2*“ Jot-h. the Boy Tender-foot. By Capt. um Wu... .9 0"“ 9"“ u" " ." ""l" 3- NF"! '." 14" h'h ~“um l'u: .l. Al _.r-]ur Patten. o . . , I 8 kiln-all kill - 15." "‘mfll“ Bl”- (””"- “J” ""J‘V) I49 .\ italic“- oi' Hold. kiwi-illwnrd L. Wheeler. 2“ In“, Bl“. Eye“. B} C mm.“ Pun“.- hzmh‘m- 4 The ii: “4- orle Hunters. By Curtain Mr.) De Ruill and 150 Lam... mm Luna. “3. Cup”... Frederick “mum-“r. 2is The Sonip King. By Cay-lam .1. F. 1.. Adam. (.ltplum i‘redrrlt'k \\ lilttuker. Isl panther lluul‘ UH, Pruirh, pint... 3.. JUL E. “mixer. In 2‘9 Jolly Jim,“ ’0‘. By “my!” Mom“ 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young \Vandorlng Jew. ll.- :)ll Gwyn". 1.33 "look "0-" “ AH \‘~Mfiwr! “are. Bv Chulfl Morri‘ huuhle number 10 rents. ' 6 mu madon, Trapper. n. mm“: s. Ellie. 7 The Flying Yankee. By Colonel l’rrmiu ill.{r'll|:ilil. ' 3 Seth Jone-z or, The (‘uptiw- oi the Frontier. lir E. 5. Ellis. 9 thentureu of Baron Mum-hau-on. ‘ . Ellie Kit. :ln- Boy I‘clnun. iy Ull‘t‘uum". 290 Little Foxfire. By Oll Comm-a. 4 The “Ward Iluntern. HY Vn W- ‘l‘ rem-rick Whittaker. 291 Turk. the Ferret. By Edwnrd L, Wheel", “0M Trl'ger’ H”. s" ‘n' “y ' b' Hamm'zh' 292 Rum-ho Pedro. BY Major E. L. St. Vrsin. Demiwnoi I" 'i. of Deadwood By E. 1.. Wheeler. ‘ MI)... 310‘"); ll. llurlnul' l‘ulive 193:... H)- (‘lmlfl Mum, 298 Rod ( law. the Ono-Eyed Trnpper. By Captain Contact. ll n C' 3 n v tfl$ ' I i In Todd! 0r. The Fat.- uflhe Slurixl-nptiwa. li‘.‘ E. 5. Ellis. ram. . Frank M. (.olorml“. 1h. .lmun “1,. 294 l, _" ml“ "an. ByT C “"Mmrh 1‘ The 'I‘W" "('tflu‘tlvel- 3." AW" “3 v ‘ :I '1‘! - .. i . I: (j. .x~i 'l‘ .. . . “l” uk r. ’ u ' - . ' ‘3 “"l"'e""‘ T'm'eh“ -A.""-""E" “' "l1 “3- will a “xv-tr ‘0 0 llx}.l.vn:,I-lll ll... .39. .. m ‘ e 295 F""'“"‘ PM" 3-" um“! w'm‘“ ‘Krulnlinz-mz. My Den" 3W?" New york XML 1‘- E-luanl 1.. WI..- l.-r. 296 Denver lioll’u Drifi. By Edward L. Wheeler. 13 1 he "um" sh!" 8-" 0” ( ”""""‘ Will “'Ildiire in the \\'00d"- ll." Charles .‘lorris- 297 The Tarantula of Tm. By Buck-kin Sun. ‘4 Aladdin: M, ‘ e “'omlorful lmunp. l'v l'he ~ ‘ 51m: . - ' .. By Captain hm... L “gunk”. I ittlt lixun. the \ H; l ulster H\ Ull (Amines Dandy Rot-LN I’lt‘iif '. H\ ‘ vrgr- \andu iirnwllr‘. Hilly linfrage. Ill" .qllroll-l “4w. ll) Charles Murril. 299 A No. l. the Dashing Tall-Taller. By Edvard 1.. WI“). 3 298 The “'utcr-llound. By Charla Mum; m":-_ 1 t! I . fl 2" 6 obiruon Crme. ('27 illllstrrlllwni) n.- “.4... a “'1 h "0 9 "l" 3"." u”""““““r. Ii" t'ul. l'n-ntise luzrnllam. :aazaaxaaasvuswma LuauJ-ucé— I-h-Iu-Iu-I—t-I-I-l—n-I-I-d y-muun-u-‘u-I-t-i-I—n-I—n-t-I—t‘ ‘ . . I __ Illt-Lury nrr '. ll)‘ llurvr St. iiunrze. , ., ' r tufl::llnr. rhrllxviirélllp will...“ 51hr. Asa soon. in. S’lmml'wfl vii-5'- liy Edwflm Wine“. 300 The SL1 Drmon. I.) Oil Co um; ' ' 20 Th: Dongle Drugs?" , Ill” Fillinr IHI \\'lml..r 0 "mm" "‘.'3"" “5' "‘.“.‘"’i‘ l“ 15MB" J“ 301 1"1d‘nle hul" “5 “W” E' I“ St“ ‘mm' 2‘ The [runner AlluvL m- [mim‘fl'g‘ml - fl. {qiflnulo :‘um‘i 802 The Mountain Detective. By T. C. Hnrblugh. 21 iiihmzntllnlil ( - “man!” :2 ’l‘l'"".‘l""'"'" 'll""" “‘1 [.h'." St' awn-'9' 304 The "cad Rh“. Dandy' By Culmel Pr'mi“ “pd”. 2:, The Buy rup'ul". BY RN" Skunk.“ ‘ ‘ " :3 Dunqu IKQDi‘h“'liiilillr“ hf: "NIL": Wald” HrI‘W’lfi. 805 Din-hints)". of anoto. B." (“"1" 310"“- g§ (\‘loul'n Iluui'. u... liuflnlu noun... Mr Edward L. Wheeler. a";ifl‘X‘R‘LE-JJ; W?“ r.‘§'};s.l‘\r‘v:rll“:”°' Mm”- 306 Nevkq‘le sea, 3.- Mflj... H. B. sr...l.l..r.1. 54 It:iii;lil’lttrimglit’ll-giiliétlllii:Palmmliilvullnlh\\'llerl.-r m Th“ “0“ ""m'“ "‘- l "‘ "3“"".‘"“"‘ ”' D Pm“ U-S‘N' 307 The SUSHI"! Panic By Buckskin SW :3: The l'lllllb l‘u 0. ll\' (Tnpmin l-‘ru'lmrk fi'l‘i-lliak'T. ":1 ‘\n‘vffl‘tfl+rfll:;;:lWay‘s“ Exist" 80" Keno Kit. thr- Buy Bugler’s Punt. Hr Col. P. lamina. ' .~- - -‘ p... u“ n "‘ "H '- . ' ' . 8] :{lgxl'ifagnlli‘é'lBrinliortl'lllnfigflriuu’ %ril:xii»:-e' :9 no}! Roche". 1"» lim; ll-xnrml. ’0‘ Chad» Morris. 309 Deadwood "it‘h'fl Ink "l'fll- B.“ E' 1" “hfl’l‘” 32 Iiub \Vooli‘.’rlm Bonk-r Ruffian). a} [-2le uni L. Wh 'olfl'. ‘l‘i;n‘§i::,1l“yffio':?“:t;;”“‘3w'; I“; 3" ll)‘~"a‘,'iw;ls N 310 The linrrunca “'oli'. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. . . tr. .'_ r' , ..l‘.ll. - ‘ . ' n, 2: "(1.2.11.1 ["33?-l.".i".=‘i‘ FBl‘fsArih'ill-JI" c. ‘2 Little ill rieuur. tlv Buy t‘nm-rln. llv ()ll Cnoxuel. 3'1 'l he Roving Sport. By Edward V5 114-11. ' . 85 wu lv'un'nm'lml- lcl’mh-‘nimix. Bil-i. L. “1mm ? g 31.2“ 'li‘d'fi‘.“ ‘:l“"d~ 3‘ 3“"""{"F~.“‘i;“l‘- J . 3'2 Redtov Rube. the "lull-nu Prince. By M-j- 3- L- 5‘ "uh. r- ’ - . ._ _. n - ~ 9 03' I‘ll urn. _\'0M‘1l.. var. r. . .. - ' , g? m fifmfi e'” ‘32"? f;fj;’,;mh 1-1:. Evil Eye. Kin-.1»: .. mu. 1-.'....-..-. u. Frank Dmnout. 3‘3 “'“H'o' "‘k‘ By mam“ De“?- Bu \‘ed “’ ide the w'Scui'lt 'lh: Tu... chi. "‘3 Cool "cum "Id. l (an...an Mlle Sam. 814 The Mynterionn Marauder. By Col. P. lugnlurn. i 89 Death. 308, the Détettive. 13'; Edward L. \Vlmler. dimmi. 2h” lily»: Mg“; T821$22:tlnxorfllo 31:, yea. u": (3.31,. Buy. By he). rung“ , , u . ~ : ~ ‘ . .n. -, r..- in m}. r' . .. - ‘ . 2.], alt-amthyi'lirn?li’l1:32:39}l liv all Cnamru. 189 Bob l r !. t, the L'r'iv lnlll‘ill. Iiv (‘hnrlu Morril. 316 0M Lelipce. Trump Curd of Arimnn. By T- C H""‘“"- 3' 42 The I’hantinn Miner. Br Edward L. \\"mwl--r. R‘fifl‘v Inn] 3", "-‘ig‘vlgtilf 'R' f-‘"“'}', C.“ A B T l 311' Peacock Pete. By Lieutenant Alfred Thumb. .. -| . “ J. .0". ;. ~ ,. ' A. II no ' lie .)\ u “luv! y I... . uyor. v v , . ._. .In I a “Inlhllfilnrl'i‘nu ,ctlie 'i“ltl})ln§rx‘i grads..le r .\ L q ., \\ hltuier. “,2 FEM“... “1‘3"” wm U._tmv“.._£: m. “in”. pen)“ 81“ her-whoop. her-w hoo! B3 Bur‘unln 3:1 _. . 5 0” Avg am...“ u...”an.“'A,,nii,il.u,_,_ h. E L. WM..." 13 -i The Luci Road-Agent. By P illp \\ arnr. 819 The Black Rider. By Joseph E. Baker, Jr. i a in'glnn Eye, tlw Grunt Shut unlu- le. Bv'J. C. Allan”: L “Mel” 820 The Sea Sorcerer-A. 11y Ju‘lt Farrnzui. .2 #:5233531? ll.:'l.i.;:l‘:1.’.:r‘..f°".;:. 3:12:21 .1361???“ m shadowed. as film"? g ' ' w Deadwood DW- Br mm L “M'- ‘9 numb“ 0“ '1'”. “Mk”! Tum, By Edl‘vmi I “ghe’der‘ '97 Little Grit. tllu “1M Rldvr. lfytul. l'rrllllls anrnhnln, 332 se—o‘ ‘he m‘ecu‘,e' By Edww “.in.“‘ to Hurt Bunk’e the’l‘rn her lin- r 1mm." ' '9‘ """“""‘"‘ "“' 5"" ""1“1'“""'v‘5" 8"T'C'1‘“'b"“3h‘ 888 \ k J k B-H 'H l J 51 The "0 “mg” “r w U'ndehm‘nga (Lam 8‘, A C "an HMO heath-"rel ht. B) Edward \\ lllett. .- r lllllfl“ m- . ) arr) um . 52 The w “e “um”; B‘. C E “a”. I" ~ ' " ' 200 The Boy Be oulm. My t'npt. Frederick “'lriuuher 88-1 Ralph Ready. the Hotel Boy Detective. B) La. Monti. g: {#5 fimrfcr ‘f-v $39305 fig“!- “l‘f- ‘- “’h"‘~'" :3"; T3.3235435'13.???‘igfi'hfiffilf‘h'é‘idoii 23.33."? “5 yang-hr; ,* Conn-u. theSImh- “PW-«1919M . e no I m 50' rnpwr- r (‘m- J- C‘ “"5" to: ‘h - Pun-«I'- n. J...- h ‘ ’ ‘ ‘ -" " “' ‘“ " _ . _ , V‘ . . p E. Kudzu. Jr - ‘ V g: 2.93:1“;5‘9‘: It.h«l-,:;Iknr;xvncic;${n ;;}Fihl(l‘«3tAl:infii|Ll. :34 goat] pfwffiuf‘ “maul! 3;: COL pwm.‘ rumba“ 828 EhSmTfil Park; or, The Terror of Trike-Notice. By T. t. a ‘ . , 2 ' . ‘ f ' . f 5': ea wo o a oolll. _v .Ilward L. Whaler. :‘ u ‘ i 2;, .‘ligz‘llgog'l'fwl’l'gm; fgf'fi)‘; 33:33:" klglll‘fiff‘gm :3? {yarn i:u\nll.£hr->1‘i.lv;-rl{‘iugi “Blelmrlfil ¥otlnn b h 3-27 era-plug Cut. the onuo. By Buck-kin Sam. .. . U . - -‘.- r , ,. ~ '-‘, -‘ i - ("-“W ‘1‘ "‘n llllr‘r. y . ‘. _ . l , ' . ‘ Twel‘g‘h‘ii’r’i‘ lir. “mull; .Péllsr’in‘llr 32:11“)? at" V ru' 20! "I lu-Tioy "(‘H'uici. ll. I)ll (,‘umnrq. M flu“ 32“ The “‘3 l’eteul‘c'“ B3 Mn)" Mickey Fr'” 6! Huekhornefll'l'i~33"rlie)R93pR?fle1:»ru'n .l';aE”L \Vhreler 209 Fritz. “m lll-Hml-l‘mv Detartive. r..- r:.i..var.l1..wh»l... 3'39 Red-5H" Tom- R" "my "mm!- ggnw gnaw mp: r.-c..l....lrm..;x..;..l..m1 ‘ 31‘; (irmif‘glgm'l'1,5‘5‘: jflf-g- Bfi' ‘flg'lm R- Er-wr- 380 unu- u-nok-shoe. By Edward L. Wheexer. r: _ . . . ' ‘. \ l-' .. lire r. . . 64 $22.? €3.31?“h\'%°8déargilr\‘h'J' H“"””“‘ 212 mum": "are. H»- Dun'l; l‘~'tv<~ti:e.’ m Chm... Monk. 3‘“ mu“ Md" “‘” “"‘“°“ “W'- B” “Pk *"d- “'th”- :5 II!!! cane Iii“.~ B" jmeph E.KBn.l2vr Jr {‘Fl‘fi.” “mull‘rlv'g' ’1.\"}E‘l§;‘r‘i L' E'hce‘flfl’wm k 382 Pm Fred‘ By Burk’kin snm' . 6 N I, J . f , ' . I ' . 0 gang. m l- n’l’ u h.- line. 3' u rt. ttn er. «s: r..:'.“..'.:‘.!l.“.'::l 33.11.? mm; 36.23.." 2:» mm... nun... r. 6. 3“ l‘:.':"°.:°..¥:. 13%. flaw-“"- “w “m I- ' 6" 'l' e Border Robin llooa Br Illimrlu hill 2'6 “I'm” “'"r “W P’l‘W "‘ “‘9 “WW 3:“ 04- P- lnzfnhnm. , ' ' J ' ‘ ' "' ' 69 Gold Rifle the Shnr uhouter: B'v Edward L \IV’xeeler g” Cnpu‘l" “"'('k‘sh0‘- B.“ E““'*"" L- “'llfit‘ltr- 88“ h'"“'“ K“; “'1‘!” MY”“‘°‘“ Mm." 3" E' L “1"”. ~ m": ' sl:l;l':;l.1r':'.:"l.l;:ll".“":;;'-m.ll¥ "snowm- E-wm A o , n, q 5,. .> , “ ‘. ‘I. 1:1 . lune. , ' '72 Must“): jiggin- , tllrgunizzr. Qi‘}..(l‘~l’i‘rirlilton. 2’“ 2' m“ 1 1mm". S‘*“-*“"~< 3"" *vfllwwm‘v- Bv Chu- Morrlo. 886 B" new” 3“ T‘ C' H“'b“‘h‘ 3:: Deadwooa “ck "n "cab B). mw‘rd L; “than. 291 :Ilf‘lilrlt‘iflli!‘ell .Mgn. :‘Iy laugh: 1].. \Vhecler. h 33? Ben Bird. the Cave King. By “'. J. Hamilton. 4 Hawk,e ' ".01 _ m if e r'mo. nor . _v o. 'n-nliu Inxm Im. I . ~ - . 7:, The no; 3 icolfifimnuu [nnhm 228 our]. .ur. king om... Mmmmlu. By Edward Willett. 88" ",T‘m'“ no.” 8" PM" s‘ “ m" 28 Abe Colt. u... CrMhKiler. 3; Albert w. Aiken. :3: gut-hair luokl. :lyim u» "T. k B 889 hunt-"'00 kit’s Racket By FAN-rd 13. Wheeler- I-z Card.” Ch I "I no . ‘ . _ . - um l nruon . tw 'iulniuln )nr 3'. v Char! M rrll. _ v- 0}; lune me . fi;r&%ineu.{nrazd. 3’ n L “ huh" 326 Inoour. the H-\- Sllnrp‘. liv Edward L. Wheels;- 0 840 cup. ‘he conto'u?-h‘~ By Ed.“ “ In.“ 29 Sol Ginger malnuvrnpw. Bv 4mm w. Aim. “7 "II-k! Harrell. Trapper. B)‘ E- Emerwn. 3“ 7°" Thrler ‘h' ‘ WM Dwain 3y Chub- Horn: 20 flfnaibu'ld 13¢ BBchdwnnl L. Whaler. 33: i'iglltre. i?" gill Colonial...“ I h an The nor-nul- Devil. nynurry Hana. l! II n o a ii ln 1". C. Ada n g . a 9- .V U "m9 N" l‘ "m MD. 9 Kit llure‘foot. th19y\\'rlnl}tliuwk. Br Ti: llnrhsnzh ° '1," ‘ Ink" R “h- B! 0- WM"! C'u'k- 3'” "'h“” In“ 3’ u M 1" "mu" {43 "on", u“. 0’, “Inner. m. “H'Cmmm. 28] I‘luok ' I’hll. 0! t 29 Mountain Trill. B ' . C. Huhagh. 844 The Fighting Trio. By Buckskin Sum. ‘94 ldyl. the t: ri \Ilm-r. in mi...“ l..\\'llr~-lur. 93” "0"" W "'"k- "V WWW L-Wheelvr- 846 Phas- I.“ Ex”? 0 Hub '1. fl?) lint-k Buckrnlil lh- (inpt'u‘vl J F 1‘ A-lMllS. ’88 'I‘K‘ nlli‘h 0r.\l| oh. Br Albprt “Z Aiken. ' - ' ‘ _ “g ' '3“! "and Rook llu: m... from int-1‘.” [iv 1; \Valllr) Brown. 23‘} "Id Rm-hy‘a "I tween.“ Br llllflr‘siilu Sam. “46 name" Ravhflel- BY 31")” H. E Stoddlfd. 8? The and Pli-uteh. n. c. m}. '31.... mi. {lizgfflffimnhl 3.§"'“";=i’""{f.-\-l “3' Charm “mi-- 347 Deadwood Dick's Dueau. Bv saw-ad L. mm... » R ' ' ' -. . ' v ;. .. w .- . . . 4‘ . ' “""‘ ~ "‘"""- ‘ .. . . . - ' :9 :32“, lggi‘lfi,‘::ul:::“llfi‘yrrk {art‘i m uh? I r 33. ltune Star. thr- i‘u“ buy ('uptnln. By Col. lngrahnm. 3' 84" };‘i,l:‘rl!:‘thfk 01” 0“ Skmmu‘ “"5 D9“‘h’5h5‘1°"- ‘y i . . 'h d , . , . ‘ ’ ' 28K The I’Ilrum "vim-tho. ll. Hll (,‘Ulllllt'i. ‘ ‘ L” ‘ "hm ' .90 the reu ni er. B\ (morp- “alllnflnmnr. . , , _ ,I . . . , . I“ The Captain ofthr Club. Bv iimrobrirlg» liv'nn'ng Illi’li-"ldl-‘fitr'lul'r iii-Mom law Mfr-nu .‘lnynr Rel-l. 349 “ ild “ 011'. the Vi goo. By Buck-km Sun. ‘ r "I U h, f,“ C . . . _\'~ . ‘ '0 one . i .im-n- .. in-v a. : . , ~ 3: (1222.19: (fifkerzc £355;:|r58_lg‘rh 3" E L ‘ hum. 241 ll ll linn’o and Ill- Ih-ur I’ardn. By T. (‘. llnrhnugln 3:0 Red Rflph‘ the R“ er Rove" B" bod Bum“ 94 man i .nu-L. m. Rand-Axum. 3.1.0. llarblux‘h. “4* TM TN " "loud-3‘ My Urn-rm Mom-- 30‘ ""‘l‘w‘l ‘3‘ “mm- 3! “VIM 1- Wit-lor- 95 at...» h Vigil Raver-La By law; Consumer... 33‘; algggzl-‘gfl-«wg‘f-‘glge- 1 fig!!! Clog-m. 852 Tomb-tone Ton. By W. E- L In Vain. . . 'v S ' , ', _.'. , . . . ,'.!\'!Il’| . were. . g? Tuttfpuuza, fikt‘fieorz. B;— ,1.;n*5'}§.,‘,‘_;;;,’" 945 Merle. the Middv. lly Colonel l’rantiu lngrnlnm 8“ The Rewmmm'“ ’3 Chm“ I’m“ ’8 Robin flood, the Outlnwml Earl. Dr Prof. Glldersiecro. 24? “km "00"“ 1;“ Bmk‘ki" 5”“ 85‘ Bl. “on It” “film M .’ Wsmuk‘ 99 The 11‘" of'l‘aol. Bv ‘ Mind. 3...... $4M 0” Grizzly and "1- Pen B)" “pt” 3min" “Mm- 855 The King oftho “'00de or Dumol Boom'. Lut Tni‘ 100 yasrloo‘ll‘ mar Ii. let 3". E‘ L “vhulm fl‘rhrr-RSIIII‘I tau-:0}. xl'iiiz'lidwn’r‘d Whnuk" By Joseph E. W. Jr. ’ " 0 a ' III' 3W8 ll ; 9' 'or ‘. lir b {d H - ' . 0 amt-r Ir . n ma mg. \' p . er . , ‘ y Disk "campfire? By Colnml Prvntln lilgnhmi‘: em)“; 2150 The Midlhip‘mun )Iutlrwer. li)‘ C"‘- P- Ynzrnhvmh ’56 owl 1." "'d P'Hl' By T'v" ""hflugh‘ . i1 .7 “,3 11“. Lu," 0fth g... 'By (3010,”; 1).“, 5,"... til-’hQI'I‘Iw Llfv. “B: 'LTIfitnlalJ. if. C. Adllul. 85? The Ram-h Raiders. By Buckskin Sam. 1- 1e_ p "I .k- nev (-0, B » law-"‘1. wk 1 t- ‘ III nwuv. _\' ‘mr «a . orm. _ L . _ . ‘ I ‘3‘ l l {rain-:3? tllr‘liu:ter. By (Tnpm’in ll. Hnlulel. ” m 253 flierra Hnm‘p l‘nrd. lh' Edwrml L. \\ heel". 8 N 1' If" ( In” F'“" m" cm" {mm GOPhW- 3) ELL. Winch. :. 106 Old Fruity, 1hr Guill». llv T. C. llarlmuglr. 35‘} The Half-Blood. fly Edward 8. Ellis. 8559 Ihlrnrrm} Dine, the \ vung Wrath“ Cir-union. By E. {i 10? "lie-Eff“ Sim. llv Jamar! L. Hwy-1:. 25-) ("lipinill Anon-0. Br T. C. linrhaucll- . L- E‘- \ mm“ a L 108 nufln' "fly, a... Ynung firearm”... 3.- H_ 3‘. new!“ 850% \ onn‘ Kenna-h. lh- (-n tnln Mark “Hum. 360 fibrin“ “d; we Mm fir Mme” 3' J C Co ad“. 109 Deadwood "it-k ml "etcciive. Br E. L. Wheeler. 357 The [out Iluutcrn. Hr E». J. l-. C. Adam; , ‘ ' . . - . - - W - ' no The Biuoi. need of the Prairie... m J. L. Bowen, ’58 59"" “W- M-wu- 3! dw-l ‘2- “ ml'f- 3'“ H“ I "‘""°"' “‘“h'm” 3’ KW" 5""'“°"' 4h! ‘ I 11] Th6 Sou-"(II'IL ll," (‘olnnpl l’n-ntiu lnxrnhuxn. ’5“ Ihe “01d?” "‘"pon'h B.“ Rag" “Munch 36* neaawuua Dick" Chh’ By than, I“ who“. 9 ’ r us The Mad Hunter. Bv um... s... 23“ “re-"fl" "u"- “~"°“°““""“- sec Li 1 T .d 8- ' y?" 118 Jack lloxle "it! YOIIHK-Slwi‘uinll-L Br E. l.. Wheeler. ’31 Firm!!- Feurn lat". By George L. Aiken, it e on 0.. _\ Philip S. “I730. ~ "‘3 I“: The I;le schooner. “y R. r Surlmrk. gin-d‘ :lu...‘ ., I By Charles‘ M'omo. ' 364 Snjp-Shot, the Boy Ranger. By Buck-kin Sun. ,- " ' III; The Mud Miner. By George \ 'nllln “hm-2w. .84 Till [no lei: I "hide. R; Hfurd L. “begin. 365 B-lumure B". Ev A. P. Mn"... 1‘“ m “mu-l. C. “I”. H). CH]. pan“... yummy“, e outing [- eather. 8) Lol. I . lngruham, _ . I - ‘lz “uhfidnd "I" .. By Edward L. “WITH”. M t .65 The 1vker Tamer. By Cflpuiu Fred. “.hin‘ker‘ 88“ ‘ eh ('1 PM". the III“.- mine. By T. (7.111!“ ~ \' v - ’ - ' 7 0 . v r . - ' ' 33.333123"Erwrlf’x‘li‘flf tlienitliinrlufly Jtrtflhdpr. 96‘ km” “'5 the Guide. By Elli-lg" “ nrren- ’67 ‘1'“? A“ “h ’09: B.‘ ‘Chlrlu Monk- “o The "rand". . m. BY Fm“ “Humm- ' .6: The Buokuun bet/“the. By T‘ C. Harh‘l‘h‘ 86’! \ reLn Jill. t‘he Gnld-(unihorer. By E. L. Whuinr. J Cinnamon Chip,‘tlio Girl Span. l‘-- l-'.. L. “ her-let. gas mfiwm may. Du“. Tran. B). E. L. wh i . 389 Slat-tn. the (cold king. By J. C. Cowdrlch. PM Hardy, tlm Bun Bay. }iy ('lmrlr-r Monk. 870 Breaker Ben. the Reef-Runner. By Roy» Smbueh. ~." 1.. Kiowa Charl - th White )lxutnnur. By T. C. Hurbnugh. “9 The Gold Ship. By Col. Prentlu lngrnhnm. , v .4 TIDI”. the Tight: By Gvnrrr leawl- . '70 Blitz-I'd Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton. r" ‘ “ "magi." NW7“ .1, Bonu- Blll. Miner. By Bdrm! L- “WM- 271 The Huge Hunter. Bv Edward 5. Elm. I -' .J' ' '.‘ ‘ .- fn , i I am- l'eco. Hv Chum Morf‘ll. - 8?. \ reh. III I Prize. By Edward L. W noeler. .' 3'. 1" fi‘éflire. lhe Bond! the Rand. Bv Funk Dumont. .7. Minklhin Mike. By 011 Coomel. 818 mule J|m' 0, 11,. Q“... pm], By Pimp i “- 4' ‘ ‘0 can Privateer. By H. C'nvandl-h. ' .73 Jumbo Joe. B... 5".” L WM‘"_ v . ~- um j as you...“ new. no.5]... 3.. “wud L. “ heel". .74 J n “m B 7 (,h l M 374 Gold-Dun, Ton. By Georg. H. Mam. -. qutouive lnek. lly (‘hnrln Morril. ' y ‘ 1’ " “ "fl" 8715 Chick. the Creek. 3y Buck-kin Sun. , r , 0 Guide- "and. By mum “‘nldo Bruno. 275 Arizonl Jack. By Buck-kin Sm. . , , , 182 in. ll..an “flute... By mm” 3‘ E”... a“ “a,” “on”... end“ B . Co‘oml Pmuu 1 878 California Joe I First Trail. B) Capt. F. W blank... A :3: .53: 2:2. fit'im‘ll; ‘ l fimm‘m P; E L‘ “mm a}? ik-nver Doll Bv shard Emmi.» um "7 B“°‘°l' “' B" 3"“ BY 0’" I"Mi-"vacuum- ! . - - WWI. . ° - ‘ " - 878 Nab» Ned. mum L. w. l . . l Cayufxlwélasgn Jr gzv-l The Three Trappern. By Mnjur Lewd. W. Canon. 379 up". (he Lgv‘eier. Ev Clml: ;;urrk l" 3:}. 'd'e‘fi'fir flint:- Bzf: min M-yin' Roi-I- ’79 0” r ‘Gflh "‘f 21"" xi";- (‘f-VITI-‘C- "-rb-nxh- too Avila-«he Air. By my» 1:. 1.. 5.. Val; ‘; - "ll 0 o .V In . 'beoler. .80 Me? 0 . on“‘ I ma. 3 .o . nntlu Inmlnm. 881 (‘ ‘ ' . . .h . . v . Iptlill(ui|‘u-, the Sc; l3 Id _ . _ i Iggy, {flagelmgtm‘ 1:; Ffigfbfiggzfi’mh- as: hem-er non . \ Iutory. By Edvard L. Wheolcr. A V l p ." B” C “W T :41 solid mu... ilw nuv Road-A m, 3,. 3.1.1. mun... gun n... Typo Detective. H‘- E-lwnrd wmm. ‘ °" “W h”?! laud-y. ’3.- i 142 11:15?) .Bv 5i: C«::;¥m‘. .88 hull-n Joe. B\ l\l.li"l’ llmis W. Carson. Thgfln‘lf‘m l- tor uh by Ill nmcllefl. bn‘ ,; l Dal-t Lani-e. the liov Sport. H 10...». 1-: mam. Jr. a.“ The Sea Marx-Mu. ".v Colonel Prenllu rum-m. I!” READY " "“ '“P‘ “"3 “flu-95‘ ‘ - . I Gupta I Ferret the Few York drum". fly Wind-r. .q; p...“ “- now. Decoy. By Edwin! L. “mug... LE AND ADAIS. hill-hon. I k . f "liver star, um oy kanht. By on Loom". . ’8 Willis- SM Nov Yul-I. .e‘ mammammmmooaashaaaawaww m4$mhflfl~°3®4fifibfifi~°¢®q - A. ODD GOGQODOQ‘WQQJ 4“ WJA Ii A Hard Crotvd. The Dare-Devil. Kit Carson, Jr. / The Kidna rper. Bfil’hiliiSJVarne. The Fire-F cnda. y A. . Morris. \Vildcat Hob. By Edward L. Wheeler. Death-Notch. B 01] (‘oonu-s. The Headless orseman. A strange story of Texas. By Captain Mayne, Reid. Handy Andy. Bv Samuel Love Vidocq, the reach Police Spy. Himself. Midshipman Easy. By Ca taiuMarryat. The Death-Shot. By Ca ta n Mayne Reid. Puthaway. By Dr. J. H. obinson. Thayendancgea. B ' Ned Buntline. The Ti er-Sla er. yGustnve Aimard. The W lite \V zard. By Ned Buntline. . 'Ightuhade. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. The Sea Bandit. By Ned Buntline. Red Cedar. By Gustave Aimard. The Bandit at Buy. By Gustave Aimard. I The, Trapper": Daughter. By G. Aimard. 22 “'nitelaw. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 23 The Red Warrior. By Ned Buntline. 24 The Prairie Flower. By G. Aimard. 25 The Gold Guide. By Francis Johnson. 26 The Death-Track. By Francis Johnson. 27,The Spotter Detective. By A. W. Aiken. 28 Three-[fingered Jack. B J. E. Badger. 29 Tiger Dick, the Faro King]; y P. S. Warne. 30 Gospel George. By Jos. ‘. Badger. Jr. iii The New York Sitar . By A. W. Aiken. 32 B’ho 'n of Yale. By .D.Vose. 33 Over and Kit. By Albert W. Aiken. 34 Rocky Mountain Rob. A. W. Aiken. 35 Kentuck, the Sport. ayA rt W.Aiken. 6 lniun Dick. By Albert .Aiken. Hirl, the Hunchback. B Dr. Robinson. Velvet Hand. By Albert .Aiken. The Humdan Spy. By Fred. Whittaker. The, Long Haired ‘ Parda.’ By Badger. Gold Dan. B Albert W. Aiken. The Califorin a Detective. By Aiken. Dakota Dan. By 011 Coomes. Old Dan Rackback. By 01] Coomes. Old Bull’s Eye. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr. Bou’ie-Knii'e Ben. B OllCoomes. Paciiic Pete. BfiJosep E. Badger, Jr. Idaho Toni. y Oll Coomes. The “'oii' Demon. B Albert W. Aiken. Jack Rabbit. By Joe. . Badger, Jr. Red Rob. on Coomes. The Death railer. B Buffalo Bill. Silver Sam. By Col. De. 0 Sara. Always On Hand. Bfi' Philip S. Warne. The Scalp Hunters. y Capt. Mayne Reid, The. Indian Mazeppa. By A. V\. Aiken. The Silent Hunter. B 'Pere. B. St. John. Silver Knife. By Dr. J. .Ro inson. The Man From Texas. By A. W. Aiken. 60 \Vldc Awake. By Frank Dumont. 61 Captain Seawaii. By Ned Buntline. 62 [.0 'al Heart. B Gustave Aimard. 63 The Win ed W tale. By A. W. Aiken. 64 Double-f gilt. By J05. E. Bad er. Jr. I}? Philip S. Warue. y (‘01. P. In raham. Bv Buckskin m. away 1'. Written by ¢¢mqawhw0~ cw maam Nfluunuuuuun a M G 65 The Be Ra ah. By Calpt. F'. ’hittakcr. 66 The S ecter arque. y Ma 'ne Reid. 61 The dgcr. Jr. oy Jockey: By Jos. E. 68 The Fighting rapper. . 0. Adams. 69 The Irish Ca taiu. 70 Hydrabad. Dr. J. 71 Captain Cool- lade. 2 The Phantom Hand. 3 The Knight of th J. H binso . n. r .. aptain of the '. yne Reid. entieman Georke. By A.‘~W. Aiken. he neen’a Musketeers. By G. Aibony. he reah oi‘ Frisco. By A. W. Aiken. e Mysterious Sp . By A. M.(z‘rainger. e Phenlx, Police by. y A. W. Aiken. Man or Nerve. By Phili S. Warne. to Human Ti er. 11337 bert W. Aiken. on Wriat. B 01. 'l‘. . Monste . e Gold Du! et Sport. 133' B alo Bill. unted Down. By Albert . Aiken. he Cretan Hover. B Col. P. limahum. he Big Hunter. Byt cauthor of “ Silent Hunter." The Scarlet Captain. By Col. Delle Sara. Biz George. Bv Jos. E. Badger. Jr. 9 The Pira e Prince. By Col. P. Ingraham. 90 Wild Wi I. By Buckskin Sam. 91 The Winning Oar. By A. W. Aiken. 92 Bull‘an Dill. B Major Dangerfield Burr. 93 Captain Dick albot. ' A. W. Aiken. 94 Freelance, the Buccaneer. y P. Ingmham. 95 Azhort, the Axman. By A. P. Morris. 96 Double-Death. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 9 Bronze Jack. By Albert W. Aiken. 9 The Rock Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 99 The Giant Hlilcman. By 011 Coomes. 100 The French Spy. By A. P. Morris. 0] The, Man Front New York. By Aiken. 2 The Maaked Band. B Geo. L. Aiken. _3 Merle, the I'lutineer. yCol. Ingraham. 4 Montezuma, the More icu. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 5 Dan Brown ol‘Dcnvcr. By J. E. Badger. 8 shaman o’nrien. By Col. Delle Sara. 7 Richard Talbot oi Cinnabar. Ry Albert W. A en. 8 The Duke of Dlatnonda. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 9 Captain Kyd. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahnm. 0 The Silent fliileman. By H. W. Herbert. l The Smart ier Captain. By N. Buntline. 2 Joe Phe ‘1. By Albert W. Aiken. 3 The Sea Slipper. By J. H. Ingraham. By Captain .l. ? Ca t. F.Whittaker. . Bo inson. By Jos. E. Badger. By A. w. Aiken. d Crou. By Dr. :50 3“ H O agrsr ma among—cwuaama Iii] Q9: Hanna H Hun Hua— uuuuc 6.059 i H—mu—H—Id—u-l—I‘I‘H -mHfl—H—HHHHHH HHHHH~HHH~HH Hid—H HHH H HHHHHH HHHH H 14 The Gentlcnmn From Pike. Byl’. S. 'arnc. I ." Tile Severed Head. By Capt. Whittaker. 16 Black Plunu'. By (‘01. Prentiss lngraham. l 7 Dashing Dandy. By Dangerfield Burr. 18 The Burglar Captain. By Prof. J. II. Ingrnham. 19 Alabama Joe. Ry Jos. E. Badger. Jr. ‘20 The Texan Spy. B)" .\'.,M. Curtis. 2i The Sea Cadet. B\' (‘01. P, lngrnham. 22 Saul Snithcrday. RV Ned Bnntlinc. ‘13 .\Iapaha, the Squaw. By P. Johnson. 21 .\~u0\vauin, the Avenger: or. The Doom of the Destroyer. By Francis Johnson. The Blacksmith Outlaw; or. Merry England. By Harrison Ainsworth. The Demon Duelist. By Col. Monstery. sol Scott. BvJus, E. Bzulucr. Jr. The Chevalier Cor-air. By the author of " Merle. the Mutineer." .Vliauiaaip )i Moi-e. By Edward Wiliett. Captain olcano. By A. W. Aiken. Buckskin Sam. By Col. P. Ingraham. Nemo, Kin of the Tramps. By Capt. Frederick Wh ttaker. Body the Rover. By W. Carleton. Dark e Dan. By Col. P. Iiirmhnm. The Bush Ranger. By P. Johnson The Outlaw-Hunter. By P. Johnson. Long Beard. By Oil C(mmcs. The Border Bandits. By P, Johnson. Fire-Eye. By Col. Prentiss Ingrnham The Three Spaniards. By Gen. Walker. Equinox Tom. By Jos E. Bad er. Jr. Captain ('rimaon. By Danger eld Burr. The Clark: S 13'. By Col. T. H. Monstery. The "lunch iht‘k oi None-Dame. By Victor Hugo. Pistol Parda. By Wm R- EY-‘WF The Doctor Detective. By G. Lemuel. Gold Spur. Br (‘01, Prentiss Ingraham. One-Armed Air. By on comm. The Border Rule... Ry Gustave Aimnrti. El Hubio Bravo. Byt‘oi. Monstery. The Freebootern. iiv Gustave Aimard. 2 Captain lronneryc. yMannadukeIiey. awn—eamqaoma m—ce msia at fiatéufi-bbbb abobbwwawwww WWQIO “'60; OD ~¢=mdam v California John. By Albert W. Aiken. Phantom Kni his. th‘a tJVhittaker. Wild Bili’a ' rump Car . By Major Dan erfleld Burr. uar. By Ca tain Mark Wilton. lo. By Col. ntiss Ingrabam. Dark Daahwood. By MajorSam S. Hall. Conrad. the. Convict. By Prof. Stewart Gildersleeve. LL. D. Old ’49. By Jon. E. Badger. Jr. The Scarlet Schooner. llyl‘. Ingraham. Hands I" ! By‘Vm R Eystcr. Gilbert, the Guide. By ('. D. Clark, The Ocean Vampire. By Col. In 5 The Man S ider. B A. 1‘. Moms. 6 The Black ravo. Buckskin Sam. 7 The Death’s Head ,uiranicrs. By Ca tain Frederick Whittaker. T e Phantom Mazeppa. llan erficld Burr. “'i d Bili’a Gold Trail. By lngraham. The Th rec i; uardamen. By Alex.) nimas Terrible Tonkaway. By Buckskin Sam. The Lightning Sport. By\\.R. Eystcr. The "an in Red. By Capt. Whittaker. Don Sombrero. By Capt. Mark Wilton The Lone Star Gambit-r. Ry Buckskin Sam. La Flarrnoaet. By Alla-rt W. Aiken. Revolver Rob. By .los. E. Badger. Jr. The Skeleton Schooner. By nizraham. Diamond Dick. By Buckskin Sam. The Ride Hangers. By Capt. Mayne Reid. The Pirate oi'thc Pincers. By Badger. ‘ Cactus Jack. By Capt. Mark Wi ton. The Double Detective. By A. W. Aiken. 4 Big Foot “'aliace. By Buckskin Sam. 05 The thitnltler Pirate. Bv Col. In raham. 206 One Eye, the Cannoncer. y F. W ittaker. 207 Old Hard Head. Bv Philip S. Warne. 208 The \Vhite Chief. By (‘a t. Mayne Reid. 09 Buck Farle '. By Edward 'illett. 0 Buccaneer em. By ('oi. P. In ham. 1 The Unknown Sport. i? F. maker. 2 The Brazos Tigera. By uckskin ham. 3 The \Var Trail. By Capt. iwne Reid. f By 1 bWfi—G ‘1“: Wm” ham. By Major mbWQPQ3 m OQOO¢=:3@ are-scam 1: zmmmmmwm.uuuu aqua W-©dea flwfiwwwflu-‘u II-IHIIIHI-l-i i-i ———————— nun—u.— The Ttvo Cool Sportn. ' . R. Eyster. Bv Captain F. Whittaker. ' Bv P. lngraham. By Buckskin Sam. Pa ruo it Jim. o 6 The Corsair Planter. 7 Serpent of El Panto. 8 Tlte‘Viid Huntreu. ByCapt. 9 The Scorpion Brother» Mark Wilton.~ Nfififlfifififlflfifl i 1 l l l l I l l 1 By Captain 'iayne Reid nnwnnnmmwwn nnmwwunnnnnnwnn» “fl $33 .' 3 The \"hlte Seal tcr. By Gustave Aimard. 54 Joaquin, the Sadt in King. ByJ. E. Badger. 55 The Coraair Queen. Br ('01. Ingraham. 56 Velvet Face. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 57 nonrad, the .Vlamelukc. By Unlonei Thomas Boyer Monntcry, 58 The Dootned Dozen. Br Dr. P. Powell. 59 Red Rudiger. By Ca it. Fred. Whittaker. 60 Soil Hand, Sharp. v Wm. B. Eyster. (ii The “'olvca ol‘New 'ork. By Aiken. 62 The Find Mariner. Bv Col. Ingrahani. 63 Ben Hrion. By Dr. J. Ii. Robinson. (H The King’s Fool. By (I. Dunnin Clark. 65 Joaquin, the Terrible. By J. E. Ba 2er.Jr. (i6 Owlet the Robber Prince. 8; S. R. Urban. 67 The . an of Steel. By A. .Morris. 68 Wild Bill. By Col. Prentiss lngraham. 89 Corporal Cannon. Col. Monstery. 70 Sweet “'illiam. By 0s.E. Bad cr. Jr. wi Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron cart. By . Philip S. Warne. ‘ 2 The Black Pirate. By ('oi. Plum-aham. ‘tcti-d-ii-J-ba’ni-J-i- . - amawn-ocmqamoww ~=¢mqamswm~ aaaaaaawmmamwau 270 Mfififlfi N~¢3m «am wnmmwmmmm 11144 NQQNERWWN u¢9®4®mbw 6 305 306 ‘ 307 3 (i8 309 310 311 312 3X3 314 ' (‘ham non Sam. The Specter Yacht. By Col. Iugralxm. Desperate Du kc. By Buckskin Sam. Bill, the Blizzard. By Edward Will. i7. Canyon Du vc. By Captain Mark Wilt. 1.. Black Bea rd. By Col. Prentiss Ingrnlinrn. Rocky Mountain Al. Bv Buckskin Sui-z. The Mad Huh-saris. Buckshot Bell. By Capt. . ark Wilton. The Maroon. By Capt. Mayne Reid. Captain (‘Iltnici-t'c. By Wm. R. E 'ster. The Flying Dutchman of 188 . By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. The Kid (.‘love .Vliner. By Ingraharn. Orr-on Oxx. By Isaac Hawks. 'I‘_he Old Boy of Tombutone: rr. \\ agermiz a Life on a Card. By J. E. Bad er The Hunters’ Feaat. By .Iayne Rei . Red Lightning. Col. P. lngraham. 3; Col. '1‘. H. Monstcry. LOIIE- [aired Flax. B Ca )t. M. Wilton. Hank Hound. By Ant 0 . Morris. The Terrible Trio. ' By uckskin Sam. A Cool Head. By Isaac awks. By Jos. E. Badger. JF. Ie Fog Devil. y Capt. Fred, Whittaker. The Pilgrim Sharp. iiv Buffalo Bill. .Vlercilcau llari. By Buckskin Sam. Barranca Bill. Queen Helen. Alligator lkc. Spitfire Salli. Ilv Col. Prentiss Inzmham. By Ca it. Fred. Whittaker- Hontana Nat. By B ward Willctt. Elephant 'l‘otn. By .108. E. Bad er. Jr. The Rough Riders. By liucksk n Sam. Tiger Dick vs. Iron Denpard; or, Every Man Has His Match. By P. S. Wurnc. The “'ali sin-m Blood. By A. w Aiken. A Yankee Cormack. By Capt. Whittaker. Giant Jake. By Newton M. Curtis. The Pirate Priest. By Col. P. Ingraham Double Dan. By Buckskin Sam. Death-Trap Dizzingl. B J. E. Badger. Bullet Head. By Captain ll ark Wilton. (‘llilnas and Crone. liy (:01. P. ingraham. The flanked Mystery. By A. P. Morris. Black Sam. By Col. 0 Yards. Fighting Tom. By Col. T. H. Monster)". Iron-A rmed A be. By Capt. Mark “'ilio‘n. The Crooked Three. B Buckskin Sam. Old Do uble-Sword. By ‘a t. Whittaker. Leopard Luke. By Capt. ark Wilton. The White Squaw. By Cagt. Mayne Reid Magic Mike. By William. . Blister. The Bayou Bravo. l-iy Bucks in Sam. A ndrou, the Free Rover; or. The Pirate‘s Daughter. By Ned Buntline. stoned-t. of Big Nugget Bend. By Captain Mark Wilton. By Capt Fred. Whittaker. Buckskin 8am. Seth Slocum. Mountain Moire. By Fluah Fred. Bv Edward “'illett. The Smuggler Cutter. By J. D. Conroy. Texas Chick. By (,‘aptain Mark Wilton. The Statue Jane, Privateer. ByCapt. Fred, Whitt 'er. Hercules Golds-p“ r. By Capt. H. Holmes- The Gold-Dragon. By Wm. H. Manning. Black-Hom- Ben. By Phili S. Warne. The Sea Owl. B‘Col. Pren ulngraham. The Merciless . arauderl. By Buck- skin Sam. Sleek Bun. B The Three]? Lightnin Bolt. Pistol Jo nny. B Dandy ave. By uckskin Sam. Electra Pete. By Anthon P Morris. Flush Fred’s Full Han . By E. Wiiiezt. The Loot Corvette. By Capt. Whittaker- Horueehoe Hank. By Capt. M. Wilton. Hoke Horner. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr. Stam ede Steve. By Buckskin Sam. Jos. E. Badger. Jr. gate-i. By Capt. Whittaker- B Capt. .iiark Wilton. eeph E. Badger, Jr. Bma cloth Burt. By Ca t. H. Holmes. Old Croquye. B ' Capt. . Whittaker Duncan, the Sea- iver. By George St. Ti?“- . Colorado Rube. Bv Wm. H. Manning. Logger Lem. B Edward Willett. Three oi'a Kin . By Philip S. Warnc. A Sport in Spectacles. By W. R. Eysier. Bowlder Bill. By Buckskin Sam. Faro Saul. By Jose 11 E. Bad er, Jr. Top-Notch Tom. v Capt. . Whittaker. Texan Jack. By Buflalo Bill. Silver-Plated Sol. By Capt. Mark Wilton. The Rough. of Richmond. By Ar.~ thony P. Morris. The Phantom Pirate. By Col. ingraham. Hemlock Hank. By Edward Willett. Raybold, the Battling Banger. Py buckskin Sam. The narahal of Satan-town. By Capt. FY.‘dPl'i('k Whittaker. Heavy Hand. By Capt. Mark Wilton, Kinkioot Karl. By Morris Redwinp. Mark Magic, Detective. By A. P. Moi-rig Lafitte' or. The Piriite oi the. Gulf. Py Prof. J. ii. Ingraham. A m w run! any Wednesday. Beadie’n Dime Library is for sale by t“ Newsdealers. ten cents per caps;fi or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each. EADLE & ADAMS,‘ Publishers 9S William Street. New York. By Ca t. Whittak< r.~ iiy Captain Mark “int n... \ «4 A..-